ABSTRACT
What is dementia? Dementia is 'characterised by global impairment of cerebral function with preservation of clear consciousness'.1 It is a chronic or progressive disturbance of multiple higher cortical functions, including memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language and judgement. Impairment of cognitive function is com monly accompanied (and occasionally preceded) by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour or motivation.2
