Disorders of cognition

Abstract

Cognitive complaints are common in any adult neurology practice, and may present in a variety of ways other than classic "memory loss." In this article, the author reviews a simple approach to a symptom-based differential diagnosis, including recognition of impairment in several key cognitive domains as well as associated symptoms such as motor disorders, psychosis, and sleep disturbance. Standard evaluation and management strategies of the most common presentations of cognitive decline in an outpatient setting are reviewed.