Neurocognitive Disorders

Introduction

The neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) begin with delirium, followed by the syndromes of major NCD, mild NCD, and their etiological subtypes.

The NCD category encompasses the group of disorders in which the primary clinical deficit is in cognitive function, and that are acquired rather than developmental. Although cognitive deficits are present in many if not all mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorders), only disorders whose core features are cognitive are included in the NCD category.

The NCDs are those in which impaired cognition has not been present since birth or very early life, and thus represents a decline from a previously attained level of functioning.

The NCDs are syndromes for which the underlying pathology, and frequently the etiology as well, can potentially be determined.

The various underlying disease entities have all been the subject of extensive research, clinical experience, and expert consensus on diagnostic criteria. The potential utility of biomarkers is also discussed in relation to diagnosis.

Several of the NCDs frequently coexist with one another.

Studies Related to Neurocognitive Disorders

Dementia in Lebanon

• Kieu T.T. Phung, Monique Chaaya, Martin Prince, Samir Atweh, Khalil El Asmar, Georges Karam, Rose Mary Khoury, Lilian Ghandour, Husam Ghusn, T. Rune Nielsen, Gunhild Waldemar, Dementia prevalence, care arrangement, and access to care in Lebanon: A pilot study, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Volume 13, Issue 12, 2017, Pages 1317-1326, ISSN 1552-5260, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2017.04.007.

• Mohamad El Zoghbi, Christa Boulos, Al Hajje Amal, Nadine Saleh, Sanaa Awada, Samar Rachidi, Wafaa Bawab, Pascale Salameh, Association between cognitive function and nutritional status in elderly: A cross-sectional study in three institutions of Beirut—Lebanon, Geriatric Mental Health Care, Volume 1, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 73-81, ISSN 2212-9693, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gmhc.2013.04.007.