Individuals with developmental disabilities are just as vulnerable to acute dementia as the general population.  With the many neurological impairments associated with some forms of disability, acute dementia go unnoticed. The symptoms of acute dementia appear rapidly (within 1 - 2 week).  Adults with Down’s syndrome are more vulnerable to acute dementia.  The most common symptoms of acute dementia are:

Behavior:

• passivity (withdrawn), apathy, and less responsive

• irritable, easily upset

• suspicious, paranoid

• volatile emotions

Cognition:

• memory - learning or training new information

• higher executive skills- handling complex tasks, abstract thought, planning, problem solving

• reasoning ability - inability to respond to problems, reduced judgment

• spatial and orientation ability- organizing objects, finding way in familiar surroundings

• language - finding words, following conversation

Acute dementia is the most common cause of misdiagnosis of chronic dementia.  The symptoms of acute dementia mimic chronic dementia and also depression.  It is critical that the health care professional be sure the symptoms are not due to acute dementia.  Once the cause of the acute dementia has been removed, the person will no longer exhibit signs of dementia.  There are many causes of acute dementia that include:

• delirium (must be clinically diagnosed) - sudden onset of cognitive impairment, disorientation, reduced attention, reduced level of consciousness, hallucinations

• depression (must be clinically diagnosed) - a disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and despair

• dehydration (not drinking enough)

• hypothyroidism - tired, lethargic, sleepy or prolonged sleep, low body temperature, memory impairment, confusion, disorientation

• illness, inflammation or infection

• isolation (social)

• lack of sleep

• low body temperature (cold environment or hypothyroidism)

• medication(s) (major cause of acute dementia symptoms)

• poor nutrition (lack of calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals)

• sensory deprivation (poor vision and hearing)

Adults with Down’s syndrome are most vulnerable to acute dementia and have a high probability of being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  In addition to the causes of acute dementia mentioned above such individuals are increasing vulnerable to:

• Hypothyroidism (adults are very vulnerable to hypothyroidism)

• Sensory impairment (early vision and hearing impairment)

• Leukemia (anemia)

• Infection or illness

Source: Help Guide