Neurocognitive disorder
Organic mental disorder (OMS); Organic brain syndromeNeurocognitive disorder is a general term that describes decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness. It is often used synonymously (but incorrectly) with dementia.
Causes
Listed below are conditions associated with neurocognitive disorder.
BRAIN INJURY CAUSED BY TRAUMA
BREATHING CONDITIONS
- Low oxygen in the body (hypoxia)
- High carbon dioxide level in the body (hypercapnia)
CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS
DEMENTIA DUE TO METABOLIC CAUSES
DRUG AND ALCOHOL-RELATED CONDITIONS
INFECTIONS
- Any sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection
- Blood poisoning (septicemia)
- Brain infection (encephalitis)
- Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
- Prion infections, such as mad cow disease
- Late-stage syphilis
Complications of cancer and cancer treatment with chemotherapy can also lead to neurocognitive disorder.
Other conditions that may mimic organic brain syndrome include:
Symptoms
Symptoms can differ based on the disease. In general, organic brain syndrome causes:
Exams and Tests
Tests depend on the disorder, but may include:
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Many conditions are treated mainly with rehabilitation and supportive care to help the person with activities lost due to areas where brain function is affected.
Medicines may be needed to reduce aggressive behaviors that can occur with some of the conditions.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Some disorders are short-term and reversible. But many are long-term or get worse over time.
Possible Complications
People with neurocognitive disorder often lose the ability to interact with others or function on their own.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
- You have been diagnosed with organic brain syndrome and you are uncertain about the exact disorder.
- You have symptoms of this condition.
- You have been diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder and your symptoms become worse.
References
Beck BJ, Tompkins KJ. Mental disorders due to another medical condition. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 21.
Fernandez-Robles C, Greenberg DB, Pirl WF. Psycho-oncology: Psychiatric co-morbidities and complications of cancer and cancer treatment. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 56.
Merrick ST, Jones S, Glesby MJ. Systemic manifestations of HIV/AIDS. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.