Dementia is an acquired progressive loss of cognitive abilities such as learning, memory, language skills, social function, complex attention, executive function, and perceptual motor skills. It interferes with typical daily function. It represents a significant loss of functional abilities but does not cause a significant disturbance of consciousness.

Dementia is strongly associated with advanced age. Cognitive decline typically occurs slowly and progressively for years before a diagnosis is made. Affected patients may notice difficulty with or changes in their behavior, reasoning, remembering new information, directions, and complex tasks, but family members may be the first to recognize the extent of the patient's difficulties.

Etiology includes Alzheimer disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson disease, brain injuries, brain tumors, and vascular disorders. Conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease are also associated with dementia.

Potential risks of onset of dementia before the age of 80 have been associated with exposure to strong anticholinergic drugs. These include certain medications for the treatment of depression and epilepsy as well as antiparkinson and bladder antimuscarinic drugs. Reducing exposure to these medications in patients who are middle-aged or elderly can help mitigate risk.

Dementia-like symptoms that occur with alcohol use disorder or certain drugs or medications may be
reversible. Otherwise, management is supportive.

Patients with this disorder may have an increased risk of various general medical conditions.

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