Complementary Exams for Dementia Diagnosis

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that by 2050, over 130 million people will have dementia. These syndromes are neuropathologies that can be diagnosed with higher accuracy with a support of complementary exams. Objectives: Review literature about de importance of complementary exams for a better management of dementia syndromes. Methods: A search was carried out in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS and Google Scholar using the DeCS descriptors: “dementia”, “mental status and dementia tests” and “diagnosis”. Nine articles, from 2005 to 2020, in English and Portuguese, were submitted to critical analysis. Results: A clinical evaluation, biomarkers and neuroimage techniques can improve diagnosis management of dementia syndromes. Changes in the early stages include memory loss. Therefore, Mini Mental State Exam can be used. The biomarkers include ß-amiloid and tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid. Other exams can detect the lack of vitamin B12 and folate, hypothyroidism and infectious diseases. The computed tomography (CT) is fundamental to exclude secondary causes. In magnetic resonance the brain is seen atrophied. Conclusions: This review shows studies that indicate the relevance of complementary exams for the diagnosis of dementia. It could be seen that the association of molecular analysis and neuroimage can be benefic for a better diagnosis.