Neurológia pre prax 2/2024

The benefit of cognitive assessment in neurodegenerative diseases

The article focuses on the diagnosis of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The diagnosis of MCI is crucial for early intervention and symptomatic treatment, and therefore the selection of appropriate screening and neuropsychological tests is important. We focus on tests that are recommended for patients with Alzheimer‘s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson‘s disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. A sensitive neuropsychological assessment is also crucial for the prediction of progression to dementia. It is however necessary to take into account the demographic characteristics of the patients and their premorbid intellect.

Keywords: mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy‑body disease, frontotemporal dementia, diagnostic criteria, cognitive assessment, screening tests