Dementia, Dementia

Although dementia is far more common in the geriatric population, it may occur in any stage of adulthood. This age cutoff is defining, as similar sets of symptoms due to organic brain syndrome or dysfunction, are given different names in populations younger than adult. Up to the end of the nineteenth century, dementia was a much broader clinical concept.

These tests include vitamin B12, folic acid, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), C-reactive protein, full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, renal function, and liver enzymes. Abnormalities may suggest vitamin deficiency, infection or other problems that commonly cause confusion or disorientation in the elderly. The problem is complicated by the fact that these cause confusion more often in persons who have early dementia, so that "reversal" of such problems may ultimately only be temporary.

CT or MRI may suggest normal pressure hydrocephalus, a potentially reversible cause of dementia, and can yield information relevant to other types of dementia, such as infarction (stroke) that would point at a vascular type of dementia.

Aldridge, David, Music Therapy in Dementia Care , London : Jessica Kingsley Publishers, November 2000. ISBN 1853027766 Tuet, R.W.K.; Lam, L.C.W. (September 2006) "A preliminary study of the effects of music therapy on agitation in Chinese patients with dementia" , Hong Kong Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 16, Number 3 Watanabe, Tomoyuki; et al., "Effects of music therapy for dementia: A systematic review" , (in Japanese) Aichi University of Education Research Reports, v.55, pp. 57-61, March, 2005 Koger, Susan M.; Chapin Kathyn; Brotons, Melissa, "Is Music Therapy an Effective Intervention for Dementia? : A Meta-Analytic Review of Literature" , Journal of Music Therapy 36(1), February 1999, pp.2-15.

Buspirone (Buspar) is often initially tried for mild-to-moderate anxiety. There is little evidence for the effectiveness of benzodiazepines in dementia whereas there is evidence for the effectivess of antipsychotics (at low doses).

However, it also acts as a stimulant, making it difficult to determine whether the delay in onset of dementia symptoms is due to protection from free radicals or to the general elevation of brain activity from the stimulant effect.

Additional mental and behavioral problems often affect people who have dementia, and may influence quality of life, caregivers, and the need for institutionalization.

Source: Wikipedia > Dementia