Abstract

This doctoral thesis proposes and in-depth analysis of the Alzheimer disease (AD) from an anthropological perspective. Today, AD represents one of the most socially and economically costly diseases affecting sufferers and their carers alike. Stemming from the scientific strand of Medical Anthropology the present study highlights the social, economic, ethical and institutional problems involved in the care of AD patients. The thesis is divided into two parts: part I provides an updated literature review of research into mental and phisical disorders while focussing on the way society has dealt with them and on various therapeutical approaches. This part also proposes an anthropological reflection on the body and its ageing process as the disease advances. Part II is the result of fieldwork carried out in the province of Sassari. To this aim, families of AD sufferers were interviewed alongside medical staff (including volunteers) at the Centro Sperimentale Alzheimer in Sassari. Opened in April 2003, the Centro Sperimentale is an integrated day hospital providing care for AD sufferers. To date, it is the only specialised institute of its kind in the region.

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