Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Geriatric Population: Role of Clinical Laboratory

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal ageing and the more serious decline of dementia. Dementia is typically diagnosed when acquired cognitive impairment has become severe enough to compromise social and/or occupational functioning. The elderly are at much greater risk for cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, most cases of cognitive impairment without apparent dementia go undetected and thereby untreated in primary care. Clinical diagnosis supported by appropriate use of diagnostic tests and biomarker is essential to improve the quality of life in these patients. In this article, we discussed the role of clinical laboratories in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in the geriatric population.