title: Recognition of pseudodementia.
abstract: The most common features of cognitive impairment due to pseudodementia are a relatively acute onset, symptoms of six to 12 months duration; past psychiatric history, particularly depressive illness; age over 50; frequent "don't know" as opposed to "near miss" answers; normal electroencephalogram and computed tomographic scan of the brain, and absence of nocturnal worsening. With this profile, or three or four of these clinical features, a carefully monitored, aggressive trial of an antidepressant regimen is justified.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents