Dementia/Neurocognitive Disorders

Abstract

Dementia and the major neurocognitive disorders are syndromes of acquired global cognitive impairment of sufficient severity to interfere with social or occupational functioning. The syndromes of mild neurocognitive disorders also present with cognitive decline, but may not affect an individual's independent functioning. Historically, the term dementia had been used to describe a decline in cognition often considered in the context of prominent memory deficits. Now it is recognized that impairment in executive function is often key. This entry describes several common types of neurodegenerative dementia and neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease ( AD ), as well as the diagnostic challenges facing clinicians, and recognizes the move towards a multicausal view of these syndromes.