Dementia in the Greco-Roman world

Abstract

Greek and Roman physicians developed distinct and detailed ideas, which can be regarded as early versions of our modern concept of dementia. Several classical sources--some of them medical--offer intriguing descriptions of many cognitive and behavioral symptoms in dementia, which are currently used for diagnostic purposes. Limitations of this ancient concept are due to terminological and epidemiological factors, but also to the physicians' social role. Only a small part of this early literature is cited in contemporary work on the origin of the dementia concept, which can be clearly traced back to the Age of Enlightenment and whose earlier history still needs to be elucidated.