Dementia due to metabolic causes

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Central nervous system

• Slowly progressive loss of memory, judgment, or intellectual function
• Personality changes
• Decrease of movement, sensation, speech, hearing, vision, or other brain functions
• Disorientation to person, place, or time
• Language difficulties
• Loss of bladder control

A neurologic examination shows various abnormalities depending on the cause. Abnormal reflexes may be present.

Tests for suspected causes may include, but are not limited to:

• Thyroid function tests
• Blood glucose level , glucose tolerance tests
• Blood chemistry , electrolytes
• Liver function tests
• Ammonia level in the blood
• BUN , creatinine (to test for kidney disorders)
• Nutritional assessment
• B-12 level
• Urinalysis
• EEG , electroencephalograph
• Head CT scan
• Head MRI scan
• Other tests, sometimes including lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Review Date: 03/05/2007
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.