205 Lec 11

Dementia

A range of conditions involving progressive cognitive decline due to brain damage or disease beyond normal aging.

Prevalence and Impact

Rising occurrence of dementia with significant social and economic consequences.

Risk Factors for Dementia

Non-modifiable (age, genetics, family history) and modifiable (lifestyle factors like high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, poor diet, smoking).

Prevention Strategies

Focus on midlife interventions targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce dementia risk; projects like IN-MINDD aim to develop risk assessment tools.

Diagnostic Tools and Techniques

Include neuropsychological assessments, standard psychometric tools (e.g., MMSE, MoCA, SLUMS), and advanced screening tools (e.g., RAVLT, Project Big Life Dementia Calculator).

Challenges in Dementia Assessment

Criticisms of existing tools for narrow scope, cultural bias, and misdiagnosis rates; need for comprehensive and culturally sensitive assessments.

Future Directions

Emphasis on developing more accurate, reliable, culturally fair diagnostic tools; potential integration of AI and machine learning for improved accuracy and personalized care strategies.