Table of Contents

Dementias: Etiologies and Differential Diagnoses

Patricio F. Reyes and Jiong Shi

Many disorders and diseases can produce the signs and symptoms of dementia.  Timely and accurate diagnosis is needed to insure that patients receive the most appropriate therapy.

Alzheimer's Disease: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment

Patricio F. Reyes, Lee A. Nowak, and S. Gabe Rice

Although there is still no cure for Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms can be treated.  However, research designed to identify the cause of the disease and to develop definitive therapy is crucial to avert a global crisis.

Nonpharmacological Interventions for Use in Dementia

Michele M. Grigaitis

Behavioral interventions are the first-line therapy for the challenging behaviors that can be exhibited by patients with dementia, but training programs for patients and their caregivers are lacking. Consequently, health care providers must help educate caregivers about the behavioral management of dementia.

Multi-Infarct Dementia: Pathophysiology and Clinical Features

Jiong Shi and Patricio F. Reyes

Multi-infarct dementia, the second most common cause of dementia, is caused by small-vessel disease. Medications are available to help slow its progression, but prevention is possible by controlling common risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.

Multiple Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Presenting with Rapidly Progressive Dementia:  Case Report and Review of the Literature

David J. Teeple, Cameron G. McDougall, S. Gabe Rice, and Patricio F. Reyes

A 70-year-old man exhibiting rapid cognitive decline was diagnosed with multiple dural arteriovenous fistulas.  Endovascular and surgical treatment reversed his deterioration.  These lesions represent a treatable cause of progressive dementia and should be excluded from the differential diagnosis of such patients.