Aging, cognition, and dsm-iv

Abstract

Researchers and clinicians have long recognized that the dichotomous classification of older individuals as “normal” or “demented” is inadequate. the fourth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) reflects this view by its inclusion of two new designations, mild neurocognitive disorder and Age-Related Cognitive Decline (ARCD). the former is proposed as a research diagnosis in need of further study, while the latter is a so-called V-code designating a clinical condition that is not indicative of a disease diagnosis. Mild neurocognitive disorder and ARCD exemplify terms now in the literature that together reflect a trend toward representing aging associated cognitive changes across a continuum. This paper reviews changes in DSM-IV relevant to aging and cognition, and places them within the context of parallel efforts to define and characterize this spectrum of cognitive functioning.