A case of reversible steroid dementia

Psychotropic effects of corticosteroids have been reported since early 1950. Dementia-like cognitive changes in patients undergoing treatment with high doses of corticosteroids were identified in 1984. The clinical presentation of these "steroid dementia" patients mimicked those typical of early Alzheimer's disease. As with psychiatric side effects of corticosteroid use, the "dementia" is reversible. The case presented describes a patient who developed dementia-like cognitive changes and an abnormal EEG as a result of steroid treatment. The case is of interest not only as an example of steroid dementia, but also because it is the first with documented electroencephalographic sequelae and premorbid EEG, CT scan and neuropsychological testing.