Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions, memory deficits and/or confusion. Because there are over 60 dementing disorders, a thorough diagnostic work-up is strongly recommended for anyone experiencing these symptoms. A comprehensive evaluation can be conducted by a family doctor, geriatrician, internist, neurologist, psychiatrist, or memory disorder clinic. A complete evaluation should include:

• a detailed medical history
• a thorough physical and neurological examination
• a mental status test
• a psychiatric assessment
• routine laboratory tests, including blood work-up, urinalysis, chest x-ray, EEG, EKG, and CT or MRI
• other tests as necessary

Alzheimer's disease is by far and away the most common cause of dementia. However, other diseases can cause dementia. They include:

• Multi-infarct dementia
• Lewy body dementia
• Parkinson's disease
• Fronto-temporal lobe dementia
• Less common causes such as: Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Korsakoff's (alcohol dementia)
• Rare causes such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob, and Binswanger diseases.

Diagnosis is important to rule out all other possible causes of memory impairment, some of which are reversible. Reversible causes of dementia-like symptoms include:

• Delirium
• Emotional illness
• Metabolic disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Nutritional/neurological
• Tumors/trauma
• Infections
• Arteriosclerosis/Anemia

Source: Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter