The rationale behind the NIA‐AA research framework definition of Alzheimer's disease

The NIA‐AA research framework group and the IWG both agree that abnormal AD biomarkers are necessary for the diagnosis of AD; however, the groups disagree on the appropriate definition of Alzheimer’s disease. The NIA‐AA framework argues that a CU A+T+ individual has AD pathology and therefore has the disease. The IWG argues that such an individual should be labeled “at risk for AD” because both abnormal biomarkers and clinically significant impairment are required for an AD diagnosis.