Assessing dementia. Part I: Difficulties, definitions and differential diagnosis.

摘要: Despite the pressures of an increasingly ageing population and ever increasing scientific knowledge, clinical characteristics dementia remain poorly defined. This relative lack clarity in understanding has led to diverse diagnostic problems, including those mistaken diagnosis as well over- under-diagnosis different settings. paper focuses on syndromal aetiological by outlining current definitions, considering differential detail reviewing common dementing disorders. The past emphasis a search for treatable causes, reliance laboratory investigations concept subcortical are all questioned. Aspects evaluation that stressed include value brief objective cognitive testing, knowledge normal age-related changes, flexible criteria Alzheimer's disease comprehensive individualised person. Broader assessment issues will be dealt with second paper.