General characteristics of treatable, reversible, and untreatable dementias

David T. Lowenthal, Esther Paran, Luis Burgos, Leonard S. Williams

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    8 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The modification of cognitive function with age has been the focus of numerous studies. Most of the research has suggested that these changes, at least in the majority of individuals, occur only at a very advanced stage; however, those conditions that are treatable and potentially reversible are acute in onset and often associated with acute confusional states. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the possibility of reversible causes of cognitive change in their elderly patients, including certain medications responsible for memory loss and other organ system diseases. In addition, the authors stress that not all memory loss in geriatric patients is due to Alzheimer's disease and that when history and physical examination provide evidence of hypertension and magnetic resonance imaging provides evidence of leukoaraiosis, a diagnosis of vascular dementia should be considered.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)136-142
    Number of pages7
    JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Cardiology
    Volume16
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 May 2007

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Gerontology
    • Health Policy
    • Geriatrics and Gerontology
    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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