E2. Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive Disorders

Characterized by a decline from a previously attained level of cognitive functioning. Typically involve ACQUIRED cognitive deficits (Not developmental) that are often due to underlying brain pathology, disease, injury, or substance use

Delirium

Neurocognitive disorder characterized by a disturbance in attention and awareness accompanied by an additional disturbance in cognition that develops rapidly (usually hours to a few days) and tends to fluctuate in severity over the course of a day

It typically stems from an underlying physiological stressor, medical condition, or substance effect

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

Formerly known as "Dementia." A disorder characterized by significant cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains that interfere with daily activities

Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

Neurocognitive disorder characterized by modest cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains that do not interfere with independence in everyday activities

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Diseases that involve the progressive loss of neurons in the brain

Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to gradual memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes

Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)

A group of disorders primarily affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain resulting in changes in personality, behavior, and/or language, with varying underlying proteinopathies (e.g., tau, TDP-43)

Pick’s Disease

An FTLD and rare neurological condition that produces symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, usually occurring relatively early in life

Lewy Body Disease

Neurodegenerative disease distinguished by the presence of Lewy bodies (abnormal protein deposits) in the brain. This leads to fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, parkinsonian motor features, and REM sleep behavior disorder

Parkinson’s Disease

Primarily a motor disorder due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, but can also lead to cognitive impairment and eventually dementia in some individuals. Lewy bodies are also implicated

Huntington’s Disease

An inherited genetic disorder that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. It manifests with a triad of motor abnormalities (chorea), cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms

Prion Disease

A rare and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by infectious prions (abnormal proteins) caused by infectious prions (abnormal proteins)

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Symptoms of this disease include spasms of the body caused by a slow-acting virus that may live in the body for years before the disease develops

Vascular Disease

Disease that results from problems with the blood supply to the brain

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

Vascular disease caused by cerebrovascular events such as strokes (infarcts) or small vessel disease, leading to brain damage and cognitive impairment. The pattern of cognitive deficits can be variable depending on the location and extent of the vascular injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Cognitive impairment resulting from a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function. The severity pattern of cognitive deficits depends on the nature and extent of the injury. Repeated TBIs can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Substance/Medication Use

Cognitive decline that persists beyond the acute intoxication or withdrawal phase of substance use. Various substances can cause neurocognitive impairment. Certain medications can also have lasting cognitive effects

HIV Infection

The human immunodeficiency virus can directly and indirectly affect the brain, leading to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). The severity can range from mild to severe dementia

Prion Disease

Also listed under neurodegenerative, but also specified separately due to its unique infectious etiology. Caused by abnormal prion proteins leading to rapidly progressive neurodegeneration

Other Specified Disorder

Used when the clinician chooses to specify the reason why the presentation does not meet the full criteria for a specific disorder

Unspecified Disorder

Used when the clinician chooses not to specify the reason why the criteria for a specific disorder are not met ➔ There is insufficient information