KOGNITIVNI I PSIHOLOŠKI ASPEKTI DEMENCIJE / COGNITIVE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEMENTION

Abstract

Dementia is one of the most difficult problems of older people. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's dementia with pathological changes in the brain of patients in the form of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Gradual decay of cognitive functions correlates with the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles. The correlation between cognition and amyloid plaques has not been consistently proven. Depending on the degree of illness, cognitive functions can be from mildly to severely damaged. The most affected are the functions of short and long-term memory, orientation, problem solving, understanding and planning. The assessment of cognitive functions: attention, memory, executive functions and intelligence should be carried out on a continuous basis using tests recommended for use with these patients. Specific cognitive tasks can delay and slow down cognitive decline. Patients may also notice changes in personality even in the early stages of illness. Some of the features that are present are: excessive suspicion, accusation of the environment for theft of money or things, fear of the presence of unknown persons, jealousy and distrust.