cognitive impairment
Thinking ability loss
Cognitive impairment is diminished mental function—reduced ability to think, remember, learn, or concentrate.
The term covers a spectrum from mild forgetfulness to severe dementia.
It may result from aging, brain injury, disease, or substance use: The accident left him with lasting cognitive impairment.
Doctors assess cognitive impairment through memory tests and other evaluations.
Pathological loss of recall
- forgetfulnessFailure to retain information
- memory lossFailure to recall
- anterogradeMoving in normal direction
- retrogradeMoving in reverse direction
short-term memory · working memory · confabulation · memory clinic · memory aids
Degenerative brain disease
- vascular dementiaCognitive loss from impaired cerebral circulation
- senilityAge-related mental decline
- sundowningEvening confusion in dementia
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
disorientation · confusion · wandering · agitation · memory care · assisted living · respite care · late-stage
Neurological language impairment
- traumatic brain injuryBrain damage from external force
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- encephalopathyDisease impairing brain function
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
multiple sclerosis · Parkinson's · Huntington's · brain lesion · cerebrovascular · anoxia · hydrocephalus · brain tumor
Impaired reasoning and adaptive skills
- Down syndromeThird chromosome 21 present
- autism spectrumRange of neurodevelopmental conditions
- learning disabilityNeurological condition affecting information processing
- dyslexiaDifficulty processing written language
dyscalculia · fetal alcohol syndrome · developmental delay · special education · early intervention · neurodevelopmental · chromosomal disorder · fragile X syndrome
- independenceFreedom from external control
- medication managementCoordinating drug therapy safely
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
problem-solving · attention deficit · processing speed · executive function · orientation · safety awareness · occupational therapy · rehabilitation
Measuring cognitive abilities numerically
- clinical evaluationSystematic diagnostic examination process
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neuroimagingVisualizing nervous system structure
- biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
amnesia
Pathological loss of recall
- forgetfulnessFailure to retain information
- memory lossFailure to recall
- anterogradeMoving in normal direction
retrograde · short-term memory · working memory · confabulation · memory clinic · memory aids
Alzheimer's
Degenerative brain disease
- vascular dementiaCognitive loss from impaired cerebral circulation
- senilityAge-related mental decline
- sundowningEvening confusion in dementia
neurodegeneration · disorientation · confusion · wandering · agitation · memory care · assisted living · respite care · late-stage
aphasia
Neurological language impairment
- traumatic brain injuryBrain damage from external force
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- encephalopathyDisease impairing brain function
epilepsy · multiple sclerosis · Parkinson's · Huntington's · brain lesion · cerebrovascular · anoxia · hydrocephalus · brain tumor · concussion
intellectual disability
Impaired reasoning and adaptive skills
- Down syndromeThird chromosome 21 present
- autism spectrumRange of neurodevelopmental conditions
- learning disabilityNeurological condition affecting information processing
dyslexia · dyscalculia · fetal alcohol syndrome · developmental delay · special education · early intervention · neurodevelopmental · chromosomal disorder · fragile X syndrome
daily living
- independenceFreedom from external control
- medication managementCoordinating drug therapy safely
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
judgment · problem-solving · attention deficit · processing speed · executive function · orientation · safety awareness · occupational therapy · rehabilitation
IQ testing
Measuring cognitive abilities numerically
- clinical evaluationSystematic diagnostic examination process
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neuroimagingVisualizing nervous system structure
- cognitive disordersdementia, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, memory loss
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, vision loss, developmental disability, amputees
- disability servicesdisability benefits, disability services, disability allowance, disability advocacy, disability payments
- disordersADHD, disorder, anxiety, dysfunction, autism
- dysfunctionserectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction, organ failure, heart failure
- illness aftermathlong COVID, sequelae, complication, organ damage, chronic fatigue
cognitive impairmentcognitive health
Brain function condition
sharp mind · mental clarity · mental acuity · clear thinking · sound mind
cognitive impairmentneurological health
Nervous system wellbeing
brain health · mental health · psychological well-being · mental wellness · healthy aging
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