A 68 years old woman presents with 2-year decline in cognitive function. Her symptoms began with behavioural changes and progressed to short-term memory loss, tremor in her left arm, ataxia, and shuffling gait. Her family has noted some confusion, cognitive decline, and blunted affect. Physical exam and laboratory analysis are unremarkable. What are the most important differential diagnoses?

Of the relevant differential diagnoses, it is important to rule out brain tumor, cerebrovascular insufficiency, and substance abuse (intoxication or withdrawal). Other causes of dementia include mild cognitive impairment, fronto-temporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Lewy body disease.

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This post was written by Omar Rifai