Year: 1997
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Cognitive impairment is one of the major symptoms of\ndementia. The main cognitive functions acc orientation to time\nand place, recall and memory, attention, language, calculation,\nand visual construction. Impairment of cognitive functions influences\nthe ability of an individual to live independently, and it diminishes\nthe quality of life. In addition to the consequences for an individual,\ncognitive impairment imposes a major burden on the health care\nsystem because it induces an increased risk of institutionalization and\nhospitalization.\nAlthough cognlttve impairment is a less severe disorder than dementia,\nit is much more common. In a representative papu lation of\nsubjects over 65 years of age, the prevalence of cognitive impairment\nwas 15.8%, whereas the prevalence of dementia was 4.2%.' The risk of\ncognitive impairment rises exponentially with age. Therefore, we may\nexpect an increase in the number of people with cognitive impairment\nin our aging society. At present, there acc a number of medications that\ncan delay the progression of dementia and that can stabilize cognitive\nfunction. However, no cure or prevention for these disorders has been\nfound yet. Therefore, it is important to identify modifiable risk factors\nfor cognitive impairment and dementia. If these risk factors can be\nfound, preventive intervention may become feasible.
Author: Sandra Kalmijn
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2167708090