[Differential diagnostics of dementia type diseases]

Abstract

Dementia remains the most common neuropsychiatric disease in elderly people. This is not only a great burden for the affected person, but also for the entire society. Currently, it is estimated that more than one million people in Germany suffer from dementia. The incidence is about 244,000 people per year. There are different forms of dementia. Primary dementia is caused by neurodegenerative or vascular diseases. Approximately 90% of all dementia types in people over 65 years of age are primary. Secondary dementia includes organic illness, which leads to dementing syndromes. Traumatic brain injury, tumor, medication and toxic substances, for instance, belong to these. Usually, if the underlying disease can be treated effectively, mental performance and cognition can be returned to normal.