DEMENTIA - DIAGNOSIS AND EVALUATION

Objective: To describe an approach to the diagnosis of dementia based on effective assessment methods. Design: We reviewed the literature an d summarized the available diagnostic and prognostic studies of dement ia that may be useful to the primary-care physician. Results: Although controversy exists about certain aspects of the diagnostic workup, ex clusion of potentially reversible causes of dementia is essential, Lab oratory studies (for example, for detection of underlying metabolic ab normalities) and neuroimaging of the brain may be useful, The pattern of onset and the temporal course of the disease may suggest a cause an d help direct the investigation, Functional losses can substantially i mpair the patient's ability to live independently. Conclusion: Dementi a can be mistakenly considered as part of the normal aging process, an d diagnosis necessitates a thorough, although not exhaustive, approach , Early identification of dementing illnesses improves the outcome for reversible disease and may also enhance the management of incurable d ementias.