pseudodementia

Pseudodementia (otherwise known as depression-related cognitive dysfunction or depressive cognitive disorder) is a condition that leads to cognitive and functional impairment imitating dementia that is secondary to psychiatric disorders, especially clinical depression. Pseudodementia can develop in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disease such as depression, schizophrenia and other psychoses, mania, dissociative disorders, and conversion disorders. The presentations of pseudodementia may mimic organic dementia, but are essentially reversible on treatment and doesn't lead to actual brain degeneration. However, it has been found that some of the cognitive symptoms associated with pseudodementia can persist as residual symptoms and even transform into true neurodegenerative dementia in some cases.

Psychiatric conditions, mainly depression, are the strongest risk factor of pseudodementia rather than age. Even though most of the existing studies focused on older age groups, younger adults can develop pseudodementia if they have depression. While aging does affect the cognition and brain function and making it hard to distinguish depressive cognitive disorder from actual dementia, there are differential diagnostic screenings available. It is crucial to confirm the correct diagnosis since depressive cognitive disorder is reversible with proper treatments.