Brain and CNS Dysfunction: Dementia vs Delirium

Vocabulary-style flashcards defining the syndrome characteristics, causes, and assessment methods for dementia and delirium as described in clinical lecture notes.

Dementia

A syndrome characterized by a progressive failure of many cerebral functions not caused by an impaired level of consciousness, affecting the ability to function normally.

Executive attentional networks

Cognitive functions involving decision making and judgment that may decrease as a result of dementia.

Alzheimers Disease

A major neurodegenerative condition representing $50\text{-}70$ percent of all cases of dementia.

Delirium

Acute confusional states characterized by a loss of orientation to time, place, and person, often involving intense autonomic nervous system hyperactivity.

Autonomic nervous system hyperactivity

A physiological state characteristic of delirium, occurring alongside acute confusion.

Medical emergency

The clinical status of delirium, which requires prompt assessment and treatment of the underlying cause.

Abnormal Anatomy/Structure Pathophysiology

A classification of brain dysfunction causes such as Alzheimers Disease, intracranial bleed, or head injury.

Abnormal Physiology/Function Pathophysiology

A classification of delirium causes including narcotics, alcohol, hypoxia, hypotension, hypoglycaemia, sepsis, and renal failure.

Full neurological observations (FNO)

An assessment used to determine a patient's orientation to time, place, and person.

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

A more advanced assessment used to evaluate confusion and suspected delirium.