Resumen

ALARCON VELANDIA, Rafael Patrocinio. Pseudodementia and Late-Onset Depression in Dementia. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2004, vol.33, n.4, pp.387-398. ISSN 0034-7450.

Late-onset depressive disorder in the elder must be differentiated from a series of psychoemotional and organic dysfunctions with depressive symptomatology characterized by differing grades of cognitive deterioration, changes in behavior and alterations in neurovegetative and mental functions. In some cases the differential diagnosis is very difficult even for the most experienced clinician; the coexistence of two or more dysfunctions can be present, or one of these dysfunctions may be the previous state of a major depression or the beginning of cognitive deterioration in dementia. Organic and psychoemotional dysfunctions with depressive symptoms are frequent in the later stages of life, making it necessary for the clinician to differentiate them in order to establish therapies that allow the elder to recover and maintainhealthy lifestyles, avoiding deterioration and progressive personal, family and social disfunction. This article reviews current concepts of pseudodementia and late-onset depression in dementia and in a practical way offers elements for the discernment of these psychopathological states.

Palabras clave : Pseudodementia; depression; dementia.

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