29th April 2024

Background

Dementia is a syndrome characterised by progressive, normally irreversible, global cognitive decline. ICD-10 definition states that the cognitive decline needs to be in two or more cognitive domains and assessed in the context of the individual’s age and premorbid cognitive function. The most common presenting feature is memory impairment, but it’s important to consider other cognitive domains (language, frontal executive function, visuospatial function, apraxia and agnosia).

The aetiology of dementia is vast, the most common being Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), which accounts for 62% of all dementias. AD is a progressive neurodegenerative form of dementia characterised by failing memory and disturbance to daily functioning. AD is believed to be caused by deposition of amyloid peptides (extracellular) and Neurofibrillary tangles (intracellular) within the cerebral cortex and subcortical grey matter. Progressive deposition correlates with advancing disease through progressive loss of neurons and synapses, resulting in cerebral atrophy.