Some of these studies demonstrate that prevention will help maintain optimal brain function, while others show measurable benefit in reversing cognitive impairment caused by normal aging or by a specific disease of aging, such as stroke. Models of Cognitive Impairment Age-associated neurological impairment may manifest itself in a variety of forms, including memory loss, senility, alzheimer's disease and dementia. Dementia includes those diseases involving nerve cell deterioration and is defined as a loss in at least two areas of complex behavior. Impairment must be severe enough to interfere with a person's normal, daily ability to function. Dementia is the most serious form of age-associated mental impairment and is often a slow, gradual process that may take months or even years to become noticeable.
Symptoms vary depending on which areas of the brain are affected.
It is important to distinguish normal, age-associated mental impairment from conditions such as dementia which identifies a disease process. Not all memory difficulties or cognitive complaints indicate the presence of dementia, Alzheimer's disease or any mental disorder. Significantly, serious cognitive difficulties should not be dismissed as unavoidable consequences of aging. A helpful guideline is that many people with serious mental impairment do not recognize or will not admit that they have a problem, although it is obvious to those around them. Be certain that your primary physician is aware of all prescription and nonprescription medications that you take.