intermediatepseudodementiageriatricdepressiondementia differentialcognitive impairment
A 74-year-old man is brought by his wife for evaluation of 3-month progressive memory complaints. He frequently says 'I don't know' to questions, appears distressed about his cognitive difficulties, and his wife reports he has stopped golfing and lost 12 pounds. He has a history of depression 20 years ago treated successfully with an SSRI. His MMSE score is 22/30 with poor effort on several items. The PMHNP must distinguish between dementia and depressive pseudodementia.