Dementia history and symptoms

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Dementia Microchapters

Patient Information

Overview

Classification

Causes

Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Sabeeh Islam, MBBS[2]

Overview

Adequate time should be arranged in a follow-up appointment. A family member or close friend familiar with the patient should accompany them to the visits and remember what the patient is told. The initial step at the follow-up visit is an assessment of cognitive function, followed by a complete physical examination, including neurologic examination.[1]

History and Symptoms

A positive history of memory loss and disorientation are suggestive of dementia. The most common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, disorientation, nominal dysphasia, getting lost, misplacing items, apathy, personality change, mood changes, constructional dyspraxia and poor abstract thinking.

The Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) is a validated and reliable instrument describing the clinical progression of dementia[2]

References

  1. Geldmacher DS, Whitehouse PJ (August 1996). "Evaluation of dementia". N Engl J Med. 335 (5): 330–6. doi:10.1056/NEJM199608013350507. PMID 8663868.
  2. Reisberg B, Ferris SH, de Leon MJ, Crook T (September 1982). "The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia". Am J Psychiatry. 139 (9): 1136–9. doi:10.1176/ajp.139.9.1136. PMID 7114305.

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