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Dementia: deterioration or loss of cognitive functions that impairs activities of daily living (ADLs). Causes: o Metabolic-toxic o Structural o Infectious - Drugs associated with dementia include anticholinergics, sedatives and barbiturates - Other forms of dementia: o Alzheimer\'s disease o Vascular dementia (10% to 20% of cases); may co-exist with Alzheimer\'s disease o Some medications (e.g., sleeping pills, anticholinergics, H2 blockers) are known to exacerbate dementia of other etiologies. - Additional characteristics of dementia from multiple references: o Progressive loss of cognitive and intellectual function; disorientation, impaired memory, judgment, and intellect, and a shallow labile affect o Deterioration in cognitive abilities; impairs previously successful performance of ADLs. Comprehension, orientation, learning, calculation, problem solving, mood and behavior may be affected. Deficits in executive function - (planning, initiating and regulating behavior) o Loss of functional autonomy, neuropsychiatric signs/symptoms (agitation, apathy, delusions, aggressiveness) o Aphasia o Apraxia o Agnosia o Impairment of social or occupational functioning - Modified DSM IV criteria for Alzheimer\'s disease: o Exclusion of other causes o Loss of neurons in cerebral cortex subcortical structures o Memory loss, inability to learn new information, language problems (e.g., word finding), mood swings, personality changes, problems performing ADLs, diminished abstract thinking, diminished judgment, irritability, hostility, agitation, aphasia, visuospatial difficulties, strange behavior, emotional lability, behavioral disorganization, confusion, \'sundowning\'.
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