Functional cognitive disorders: demographic and clinical features contribute to a positive diagnosis

To examine features associated with functional cognitive disorders (FCDs) compared with neurological cognitive disorders (dementia, mild cognitive impairment, transient amnesias) in consecutive patients referred to a secondary care cognitive disorders clinic.

Patients diagnosed with either neurological cognitive disorder or FCD were compared by demographic (age, gender, handedness, referral source) and clinical features (family history of dementia, clinical signs, Likert screening measure of subjective memory complaint, mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination).

Patients diagnosed with FCD were younger than those with neurological cognitive disorders, and more likely to attend alone, have a family history of dementia and be categorized as positive for subjective memory complaint.

These data suggest features which may be helpful in making a positive diagnosis of FCD and differentiating from neurological cognitive disorders.