Major neurocognitive disorder (and mild neurocognitive disorder) exists on a spectrum of cognitive and functional impairment. The term major neurocognitive disorder corresponds to the condition referred to what was previously referred to in the DSM-IV as dementia. The core feature of neurocognitive disorders is an acquired cognitive decline in one or more cognitive domains based on (A) both a concern about cognition on the part of the individual, a knowledgeable informant, or the clinician, and (B) performance on an objective assessment that falls below the expected level or observed decline over time.
Evidence of significant cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in 1
or more cognitive domains (complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor, or social cognition) based on:
The cognitive deficits interfere with independence in everyday activities (i.e. - at a minimum, requiring assistance with complex instrumental activities of daily living such as paying bills or managing medications).
The cognitive deficits do not occur exclusively in the context of a delirium.
The cognitive deficits are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. - major depressive disorder, schizophrenia).
Specify: