[Guideline-based diagnosis of dementia syndrome]

This review presents criteria for diagnosing the "syndrome of dementia" based on the S3 guidelines of the AWMF ("Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften") in Germany. They represent the best standards of evidence-based international knowledge, in light of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellent (NICE), the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), etc. Diagnosing dementia as early as possible is essential. All the current guidelines specify a two-step procedure: the first step entails performing a comprehensive diagnosis of the syndrome, while the second step involves diagnosing the precise etiology. The following article focuses on the first step: diagnosis of the syndrome.