Psychiatria pre prax 3/2023

Cognitive functions, activities of daily living and cognitive syndromes

The number of older people with memory disorders and other cognitive disorders increases as the aging population is growing. Therefore, the article provides information on cognitive functions and their brief evaluation. It also explains the content and evaluation of activities of daily living. Cognitive syndromes can be classified into three categories based on impairment of cognitive functions and activities of daily living: subjective memory complaints (normal cognitive functions), mild cognitive impairment (cognitive impairment, but not impairment in activities of daily living) and dementia (dependence on caregivers). The use of uniform terminology and sharing of instruments will allow better communication among physicians of different specialties and other experts in cognitive disorders.

Keywords: cognitive disorders, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, self‑sufficiency, subjective complaint of memory disorders