Dementia in Systemic Diseases

Abstract

As a first step in analyzing dementia in a patient with or without signs of systemic disease, the mental deterioration needs to be defined. The effects of the dementia on different components of memory are clues to the location of processes causing memory loss. The analysis should also take into account impairment of other cognitive functions, other neurologic signs and symptoms, and any evidence of general disease. Discussion of several systemic illnesses in which dementia may be prominent illustrates application of this approach.