Diagnostic decision tree in dementia


Julie Loebach Wetherell
Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2003 Mar; 5(1): 44–47.
 
Diagnostic criteria for dementia include memory impairment plus impairment in at least one other cognitive function, including aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance in executive functioning. These deficits must represent a decline from a previous level of functioning and be sufficiently severe to cause significant impairment in social or occupational performance. The diagnosis of dementia begins with a patient, presenting with memory difficulties or other complaints. These can include apathy or lack of initiative, disorientation, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, aggression, disinhibition, agitation, depression, anxiety, or psychotic symptoms, as well as impairment in cognitive domains such as attention and concentration, language, motor coordination, recognition of objects, visuospatial skills, insight, and judgment.

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