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Semin Neurol 2016; 36(04): 397-404
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1585096
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Dementia

Peter A. Ljubenkov
1   Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, California
,
Michael D. Geschwind
1   Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 September 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Dementia often is defined as a progressive cognitive disturbance leading to a loss of independent function. Most clinicians are familiar with the typical pattern of amnestic Alzheimer's disease, the most common neurodegenerative presentation of dementia. Atypical dementia presentations, including atypical Alzheimer's variants, however, may pose a diagnostic challenge for even experienced clinicians. In this article the authors discuss clinical “pearls” for the diagnosis of various neurodegenerative dementia syndromes. When considering the causes of dementia, the mnemonic VITAMINS can be helpful in considering various etiologies.

Keywords

dementia - Alzheimer's disease - dementia with Lewy bodies - frontotemporal dementia - progressive supranuclear palsy - corticobasal degeneration - primary progressive aphasia - Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease
 

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