Cognitive disorders: diagnosis and treatment

During the last half century, medical developments have expedited an increase of life expectancy all over the world. Owing to this extension of life, some pathological processes that formerly were considered to exhibit low prevalence now have become top priorities for public health programs. Among these pathological processes, cognitive diseases stand out, the two most frequent being Alzheimer's disease and cognitive disorders of vascular etiology, for which humans are at increased risk beyond age 65. We studied 120 adults with cognitive disorders representing a variety of etiologies. We performed a comparative statistical study between members of this group of patients and a group of general patients by means of different neurophysiological examinations: acoustically evoked potentials, P300, brain electrical activity mapping both in the resting state and under complex stimulation, and Doppler ultrasonographic extracranial and transcranial assessment. The comparative study between both populations revealed significant differences in results of the various tests. Neurotransmitter equilibrium (dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA], etc.) in the areas of the cerebral cortex related to cognitive disorders is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.