Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...

Dementia

Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

OnabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine: predictors of response. A prospective multicentre descriptive study.

European journal of neurology·2017

Same author

[Hospitalizations for acute cerebrovascular accidents and transient ischemic attacks in Spain: temporal stability and spatial heterogeneity, 1998-2003].

Revista de calidad asistencial : organo de la Sociedad Espanola de Calidad Asistencial·2009

Same author

Nummular headache: a series with symptomatic and primary cases.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2009

Same author

[In-hospital stroke: clinical profile and expectations for treatment].

Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)·2008

Same author

[Neurological disorders in the narrative works of Benito Pérez Galdós].

Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)·2007

Same author

[Importance of the clinical-radiological complementarity in superficial cerebral siderosis].

Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)·2003

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

[Competency: general principles and applicability in dementia].

¹Servicio de Neurología y Comité de Ética Asistencial del Hospital de Basurto, Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco EHU/UPV, Bilbao, España. luiscarlosalvaro@yahoo.es

Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)

|February 21, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Patient decision-making capacity is crucial in healthcare and daily life, especially with cognitive decline. Assessing this capacity requires careful clinical judgment, as standard cognitive tests have limited predictive value for determining incapacity.

More Related Videos

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Published on: July 28, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

The Immersive Cleveland Clinic Virtual Reality Shopping Platform for the Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Published on: July 28, 2022

Area of Science:

Neurology
Bioethics
Cognitive Science

Context:

Patient decision-making capacity is fundamental for autonomy in clinical and daily life.
Spanish law recognizes patient's right to informed consent and free choice, particularly in dementia cases.
Competency assessment is task-specific, with higher stakes requiring greater capacity.

Purpose:

To define and assess patient competency for decision-making.
To explore the relationship between cognitive deterioration and loss of capacity.
To highlight the importance of clinical judgment in competency evaluations.

Summary:

Competency assessment involves evaluating a patient's ability to understand, analyze, self-refer, and apply information.
Loss of competency correlates with cognitive deterioration, particularly language and executive dysfunctions.
Legal standards of incapacity (LS1-LS5) help detect dementia-related incapacity, but clinical judgment remains paramount.

Impact:

Incapacity is prevalent and significantly impacts clinical decision-making, especially in dementia research and trials.
Financial decision-making limitations can emerge even with mild cognitive impairment.
Increased awareness and involvement from the neurological community are vital for both clinical practice and research in competency assessment.