A psychiatrist told about the signs of pseudodementia

Depression may cause pseudodementia, in which symptoms of neurodegenerative disease will be observed. On February 22, an expert of the social project Dementia.net, psychiatrist Maria Shtan told "Gazeta.Ru".

Symptoms similar to dementia do not always indicate this disease. Sometimes they are caused by a temporary failure in the body, the so-called pseudodementia - a condition that mimics dementia, but has a reversible nature.

"The most important difference between pseudodementia and dementia is reversibility. In dementia, neurons die; in pseudodementia, attention and motivation suffer due to depression, hormonal disruptions or stress. The loss of neurons has nothing to do with it," she explained.

According to the doctor, to prevent the development of pseudodementia, a number of factors that affect neuroplasticity and preserve cognitive function are important: timely correction of hormonal background, social involvement, having a hobby, doing volunteer work and physical activity.

"And certainly, early diagnosis is of great importance: apathy and absent-mindedness - a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor," concluded Shtan.

Earlier, on December 27, psychiatrists Lev Belov and Tatyana Sychova told Izvestia about the risks of dementia due to heartburn pills.