What Are the Key Diagnostic Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Subtypes and How to Integrate all of the Diagnostic Data to Establish a Diagnosis?

Abstract

Diagnosis of dementia requires a detailed history, physical examination, imaging, and sometimes neuropsychological testing or ancillary tests. Mild cognitive impairment is defined as an objective impairment in cognitive performance but preserved ability to do activities of daily living. Dementia is diagnosed once impairment in activities of daily living develops. Common types of dementia covered here include mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, the primary progressive aphasias, and vascular dementia.