|
DEMENTIA |
|
degenerative: |
senile presenile (Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease)Down's syndrome Huntington's disease multiple sclerosis |
|
vascular: |
multi-infarct dementia systemic lupus erythematosus and other vasculitides |
|
metabolic / endocrine: |
hepatic or renal failure Wilson's disease prolonged hypoglycaemia (including insulinoma) hypothyroidism hypoadrenalism hypo- or hyperparathyroidism |
|
toxic: |
chronic alcohol abuse chronic drug abuse, eg. phenobarbitoneheavy metal poisoning CO poisoning bromism (bromides) |
|
infections: |
slow-virus infections, eg. Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, nvCJD, SSPEAIDS dementia neurosyphilis |
|
other / miscellaneous: |
normal pressure hydrocephalus prolonged hypoxia nutritional deficiency, eg. nicotinic acid (pellagra), folate, B1, B12paraneoplastic |
IMPORTANT DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES (especially in elderly):
hypothyroidism
depression
chronic subdural haematoma
hydrocephalus
parkinsonism
vitamin deficiencies (B
1, B12)drugs (sedatives / psychotropics)
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