ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses memory loss, dementia, and other cognitive dysfunction. Dementia is defined as significant loss of cognitive function involving multiple cognitive areas and the absence of clouded consciousness. Memory, the ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information, is impaired. The diagnostic criteria for dementia include at least one of the following: language disturbance (aphasia), impaired ability to perform motor activities despite intact motor function (apraxia), failure to recognize or to identify objects despite intact sensory function (agnosia), personality change, constructional difficulties, and a disturbance in executive functioning. Executive functioning includes planning, organizing, sequencing, and abstracting. The loss of intellectual abilities needs to be sufficiently severe to interfere with social or occupational functions.
