[Dementia: what the primary care physician must know about it]

Therapy of dementia is most successful in its early stages. Therefore the diagnosis of dementia has to be made early. Helpful are semiquantitative history of forgetfullness and screening exams of cognition. Laboratory and imaging examinations determine curable causes. The therapy of dementia has to combine pharmacotherapy of cholinesteraseinhibitors with symptomatic treatment of behavioural disturbances and should always be accompanied by counselling and educating the caregivers. For mild cognitive impairment not (yet) dementia Ginkgoextracts are the only approved therapy and should be combined with stroke preventary measures and training of fitness and memory.