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Chapter 2 - Diagnosing Dementia

from Section 1 - Essential Background Knowledge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2024

Simon Gerhand
Simon Gerhand
Affiliation:
Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
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Summary

The process of diagnosing dementia and MCI is considered in depth in this chapter, drawing on criteria outlined in the DSM-V and ICD-11. This covers ways of assessing the two central components of a dementia diagnosis, namely the extent to which there has been a change in cognitive ability and whether there has been a change in everyday function. The contribution of neuropsychological assessment is explained, along with the use of cognitive screening measures. The difference between dementia and MCI is covered, along with how you differentiate between the two. There is also discussion of what background information to record, specifically in relation to factors which could affect cognitive function. The chapter finishes with a decision tree outlining the process involved in distinguishing between the two presentations. Having established whether dementia is present, how to determine the likely type of dementia is discussed in subsequent chapters.

Keywords

diagnosisdementiaMCIcognitive screensneuropsychological assessmentassessing function
Type
Chapter
Information
The Neuropsychology of Dementia
A Clinician's Manual
 , pp. 15 - 33
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Diagnosing Dementia
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.003
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Diagnosing Dementia
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Diagnosing Dementia
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.003
Available formats
×