GUIDELINE FOR INITIAL EVALUATION OF THE PATIENT WITH MEMORY LOSS

A practical and useful guideline for early identification of Alzheimer 's disease and related dementias has been developed by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. By using the initial evaluation proce ss described in. this guideline, primary care physicians can identify and treat many ''reversible'' causes of memory problems, such as depre ssion, delirium, and co-morbid medical conditions. The treatable cause s of dementia may be structural, metabolic, toxic, infectious, nutriti onal, psychiatric, or drug-related. Initial evaluation, includes patie nt history, physical examination, mental status testing, functional as sessment, and some laboratory tests. Information from an informed fami ly member can, be very helpful in this process.