Office evaluation of dementia. How to arrive at a clear diagnosis and choose appropriate therapy.

About half of patients presenting with dementia have Alzheimer's disease, which cannot be prevented or reversed. Treatment of these patients is aimed at improving their quality of life and helping their families provide supportive care. About 15% of patients with dementia can be successfully treated. A detailed patient history, thorough physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing are important to identify the treatable causes of dementia, such as normal-pressure hydrocephalus, Korsakoff's psychosis, and drug toxicity.