Dementia (Major Neurocognitive Disorder)
Dementia is a chronic, typically progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in cognitive function beyond what is expected from normal aging, impacting independence in daily life.
Common Etiologies
| Type | Pathophysiology / Key Features |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer’s | Amyloid plaques, tau tangles; early episodic memory loss. |
| Vascular | Stepwise decline due to ischemic or hemorrhagic infarcts. |
| Lewy Body | Fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism. |
| Frontotemporal | Early changes in personality, behavior, or language. |
High-Yield Clinical Notes:
- Reversible Causes: Always rule out “DEMENTIA” mimics: Drugs, Emotional (depression), Metabolic, Endocrine, Nutritional (B12 deficiency), Tumor/Trauma, Infection, Anemia.
- Assessment: Use validated tools like the MMSE or MoCA for cognitive screening.
- Management: Focuses on symptomatic management (Cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists) and support for caregivers/family.