Dementia

Comorbidity

As noted elsewhere, a major depressive episode can lead to a pseudodementia syndrome that will resolve with effective antidepressant therapy.

However, comorbid depression and dementia are common, especially in the early stages of degenerative disorders when the patient still retains insight. This can complicate early diagnosis, but an adequate trial of antidepressant therapy should help to differentiate the two syndromes.

Even if dementia is considered as the primary diagnosis, comorbid depression will seriously degrade remaining cognitive function and should be treated together with whatever measures may be taken to manage the dementia.

If a patient meets criteria for a major depressive disorder, such as those laid down in DSM-IV, the diagnosis should be included with any others that may be established.