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The clinical assessment of the patient with early dementia

Southern General Hospital, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Glasgow, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr John D W Greene
Southern General Hospital, Institute of Neurological Sciences, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK; john.greene@sgh.scot.nhs.uk

Keywords: dementia; clinical assessment

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Dementia is a clinical state characterised by a loss of function in at least two cognitive domains. When making a diagnosis of dementia, features to look for include memory impairment and at least one of the following: aphasia, apraxia, agnosia and/or disturbances in executive functioning. To be significant the impairments should be severe enough to cause problems with social and occupational functioning and the decline must have occurred from a previously higher level. It is important to exclude delirium when considering such a diagnosis.

When approaching the patient with a possible dementia, taking a careful history is paramount. Clues to the nature and aetiology of the disorder are often found following careful consultation with the patient and carer. A focused cognitive and physical examination is useful and the presence of specific features may aid in diagnosis. Certain investigations are mandatory and additional tests are recommended if the history and examination . . . [Full text of this article]