Chapter 2
The multidisciplinary evaluation of the atypical dementia patient
Michael D. Geschwind,
Caroline Racine Belkoura,
Michael D. Geschwind
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCaroline Racine Belkoura
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael D. Geschwind,
Caroline Racine Belkoura,
Michael D. Geschwind
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCaroline Racine Belkoura
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorBook Editor(s):Michael D. Geschwind MD PhD,
Caroline Racine Belkoura PhD,
Michael D. Geschwind MD PhD
Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCaroline Racine Belkoura PhD
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 22 January 2016
Summary
This chapter presents an approach to assessing a patient with dementia, particularly those with non-AD or atypical dementias. We provide a multidisciplinary format used in our own clinic for assessing patients with cognitive impairment due to a wide variety of etiologies, with emphasis on cognitive, behavioral, and other neurological domains that often are affected with non-AD dementias, including frontal-executive, language, visuospatial, and motor functions. We stress the importance of key aspects of the history, such as identifying the very first symptom(s) and neurological exam, as well as recommend specific tools for testing various cognitive and behavioral domains. Throughout the chapter, clues to diagnosis of atypical dementias are provided. Lastly, various laboratory and imaging tests that might be helpful in diagnosing atypical dementias are discussed.
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