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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Pseudodementia: when depression masquerades as dementia
Memory loss is often associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or other irreversible dementias. However, a frequently overlooked but potentially reversible condition --pseudodementia -- can cause similar cognitive deficits. Pseudodementia occurs when depression or other mental health disorders lead to significant impairments in memory, concentration and other cognitive functions that closely resemble dementia. Understanding pseudodementia Pseudodementia is most frequently associated with major depressive disorder. Typically, it presents as cognitive dysfunction, such as forgetfulness, inability to focus, slowing of thought processing, and indecision. Whereas degenerative dementias are usually characterised by a global and profound inability to understand one's cognitive decline, and patients suffering from pseudodementia often have an acute awareness of their cognitive deficits and can show in their demeanour a certain degree of frustration, or even get upset, specifically related to their inability to think. Pseudodementia can arise from several life situations, such as life stressors, chronic illness, or social isolation and can affect adults and in rare cases, younger individuals. Pseudodementia versus dementia Although some symptoms may be similar to dementia, several identifying features help differentiate pseudodementia. The onset and progression are usually observable over a period of weeks to months, whereas dementia develops slowly over years. Patients with pseudodementia are often aware of their symptoms and can be bothered by them, while people with dementia may not demonstrate such awareness. Cognitive evaluation may also differ -- individuals with pseudodementia may show variability in performance or give up on difficult tasks sooner than dementia patients, who continue to struggle despite effort. Importantly, once the underlying depression is treated, cognitive abilities can often improve significantly, a feature not seen in neurodegenerative dementias. Evaluation and diagnosis Getting an accurate diagnosis is critical because pseudodementia is treatable. The diagnostic process typically involves obtaining a comprehensive history from both the patient and an informant, often a family member, to establish the time course of symptom onset. Cognitive assessments such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), along with depression screening tools like the Geriatric Depression Scale, are used. Medical tests are conducted to exclude other reversible conditions that mimic dementia, such as thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, and anaemia. Brain imaging may also be performed to rule out structural causes of cognitive changes. In some cases, a thorough neuropsychological evaluation is warranted to determine the extent and pattern of cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that cognitive impairment associated with depression is pervasive but can be effectively treated. This highlights the need for education, both in the public and healthcare systems, for proper identification and treatment. Management, prognosis and the path to recovery Management strategy primarily addresses the depression itself, which typically consists of antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy and several lifestyle strategies in the treatment of depression such as exercise, socialisation and good sleep hygiene. Usually, improvement in mood will correlate with improvement in cognition. However, in this case, time is of the essence. Untreated major depression, can not only prolong cognitive symptoms, but may put the person at risk for later true dementia. Memory loss is not an inevitable part of ageing, and many conditions like pseudodementia are reversible with proper care. Early identification and treatment of depression are crucial to prevent long-term cognitive decline. Families should seek a full clinical assessment whenever rapid cognitive changes or mood symptoms appear in a loved one. Recovery often involves a combination of medical treatment, mental health support and healthy lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, good sleep, social engagement and proper nutrition. With timely intervention, cognitive function can improve significantly, offering patients and their families a tangible path to better brain health. (Dr. Keni Ravish Rajiv is senior consultant, Neurology and Head of Epilepsy Services, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
World Brain Day: brain health and an ageing population
World Brain Day, celebrated annually on 22 July, serves as a call to action for increased neurological health awareness and advocacy. In the context of a rapidly ageing global population, the burden of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease is rising, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems. These progressive disorders not only diminish quality of life, but also contribute substantially to disability and dependency among older adults. Apart from posing a public health concern, they pose personal issues affecting individuals and families, and contribute to long-term care needs among the elderly, both for professional and informal care. These diseases erode memory and independence, and often lead to emotional and physical hardship for patients and families. Cases of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease (PD) are increasing globally. Several factors are contributing to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's and PD. These included the ageing population and increased detection and diagnosis. GlobalData's Alzheimer's and PD epidemiology forecasts shed light on the future burden of these diseases. The latest report forecasts an increase in the diagnosed prevalent cases of Alzheimer's in the eight major markets (8MM: China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US) from approximately 11 million in 2025 to more than 12.3 million in 2028. Diagnosed prevalent cases of PD are expected to increase from 2.7 million cases in 2025 to 3.1 million cases in 2033 in the seven major markets (7MM: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US). Understanding the key risk factors and potential challenges of managing these diseases will help healthcare providers and patients recognise symptoms earlier, which could slow disease progression, understand individual risk factors, and coordinate care among different health professionals, such as neurologists, primary care providers and caregivers. With global life expectancy rising, the at-risk population for Alzheimer's and PD will grow. Awareness days can help educate people on professional and self-administered screening tools for signs of memory and cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer's, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Mini-Cog (administered by professionals), and the self-administered test called SAGE (the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam). In the case of PD, events such as World Brain Day can shed light on symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slow movement. Awareness days draw attention to diseases. They advance global notice, understanding and diagnosis. By spotlighting brain health on an international stage, the campaign encourages collaboration among researchers, clinicians and policymakers to address gaps in access to care and treatment. This is important when we consider that Alzheimer's and PD are major challenges in an ageing world. "World Brain Day: brain health and an ageing population" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
