Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Older Patients

Depression, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in the elderly can present with similar features such as cognitive complaints, loss of initiative, and difficulties with psychosocial functioning. These can be difficult to distinguish in the office setting, especially when mild in severity. The relationships between the three syndromes remains incompletely understood. Patients with MCI are at high risk for conversion to dementia. Depression may be either a risk factor for or early manifestation of MCI. Depression in late life is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias, but the causal relationship remains controversial. Depression may also increase the risk of conversion from MCI to dementia and be more strongly associated with conversion to Vascular dementia (VaD) than to AD. This book will provide guidance to clinicians in the diagnosis and management of these complex conditions in the office setting.