BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNeurocognitive disorderOrganic mental disorder (OMS); Organic brain syndromeNeurocognitive disorder is a general term that describes decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness.Neurocognitive disorders are grouped into three subcategories:Delirium. DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mild neurocognitive disorder - some decreased mental function, but able to stay independent and do daily tasks. Major neurocognitive disorder - decreased mental function and loss of ability to do daily tasks. Also called dementia.DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Listed below are conditions associated with neurocognitive disorder.BRAIN INJURY CAUSED BY TRAUMABleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage) Bleeding into the space around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage) Subarachnoid hemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid sp...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clot inside the skull but outside the brain and its covering, which may cause pressure on the brain (subdural or epidural hematoma) Subdural or epidural hematomaA chronic subdural hematoma is an "old" collection of blood and blood breakdown products between the surface of the brain and its outermost covering ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ConcussionConcussionA traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. There are three types of TBI:Mild TBI, a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BREATHING CONDITIONSLow oxygen in the body (hypoxia) High carbon dioxide level in the body (hypercapnia) CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS Dementia due to many strokes (multi-infarct dementia) Multi-infarct dementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart infections (endocarditis, myocarditis) EndocarditisEndocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MyocarditisMyocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The condition is called pediatric myocarditis when it occurs in children.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Transient ischemic attack (TIA) TIAA transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief time. A person will have stroke-like symptoms for ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DEGENERATIVE DISORDERSAlzheimer disease (also called senile dementia, Alzheimer type) Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a form of brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease in movement and loss of mental function.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diffuse Lewy body disease Huntington disease Huntington diseaseHuntington disease (HD) is a genetic disorder in which nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate. The disease is passed do...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal pressure hydrocephalus Normal pressure hydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of spinal fluid inside the fluid chambers of the brain. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "Normal pressure hydroce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Parkinson disease Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pick diseasePick diseaseFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare form of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer disease, except that it tends to affect only certain areas of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DEMENTIA DUE TO METABOLIC CAUSESDEMENTIA DUE TO METABOLIC CAUSESDementia is loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Dementia may also be referred to as major neurocognitive disorder. Dementia du...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney disease Kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease Liver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin deficiency (B1, B12, or folate) DRUG AND ALCOHOL-RELATED CONDITIONSAlcohol withdrawal state Alcohol withdrawal stateAlcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Intoxication from drug or alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicine effect, such as corticosteroids, sedative-hypnotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a long-term effect of deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndromeWernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Withdrawal from drugs, such as sedative-hypnotics and corticosteroidsINFECTIONSAny sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection Blood poisoning (septicemia) SepticemiaSepticemia is bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) that often occurs with severe infections. Also called sepsis, septicemia is a serious, life-threate...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Brain infection (encephalitis) EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prion infections, such as mad cow disease Late-stage syphilis Complications of cancer and cancer treatment with chemotherapy can also lead to neurocognitive disorder.Other conditions that may mimic organic brain syndrome include:Depression DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neurosis PsychosisPsychosisPsychosis occurs when a person loses contact with reality. The person may: Have false beliefs about what is taking place, or who one is (delusions)S...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms can differ based on the disease. In general, organic brain syndrome causes:Agitation AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term loss of brain function (dementia) DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe, short-term loss of brain function (delirium) DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests depend on the disorder, but may include: Blood tests Neuropsychological testing Electroencephalogram (EEG) ElectroencephalogramAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head CT scan Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head MRI Head MRIA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Many conditions are treated mainly with rehabilitation and supportive care to help the person with activities lost due to areas where brain function is affected.Medicines may be needed to reduce aggressive behaviors that can occur with some of the conditions. Outlook (Prognosis) Some disorders are short-term and reversible. But many are long-term or get worse over time. Possible Complications People with neurocognitive disorder often lose the ability to interact with others or function on their own. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if:You have been diagnosed with organic brain syndrome and you are uncertain about the exact disorder. You have symptoms of this condition. You have been diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder and your symptoms become worse.Open ReferencesReferencesBeck BJ, Tompkins KJ. Mental disorders due to another medical condition. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 21.Fernandez-Robles C, Greenberg DB, Pirl WF. Psycho-oncology: Psychiatric co-morbidities and complications of cancer and cancer treatment. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 56.Merrick ST, Jones S, Glesby MJ. Systemic manifestations of HIV/AIDS. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.AllVideoImagesTogBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationRelated Information Confusion(Symptoms)Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(Condition)Huntington disease(Condition)Multiple sclerosis(Condition)Normal pressure hydrocephalus(Condition)Frontotemporal dementia(Condition)Alzheimer disease(Condition)Arrhythmias(Condition)Endocarditis(Condition)Myocarditis(Condition)Multiple sclerosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Alzheimer disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/23/2022 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Neurocognitive disorderOrganic mental disorder (OMS); Organic brain syndromeNeurocognitive disorder is a general term that describes decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness.Neurocognitive disorders are grouped into three subcategories:Delirium. DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Mild neurocognitive disorder - some decreased mental function, but able to stay independent and do daily tasks. Major neurocognitive disorder - decreased mental function and loss of ability to do daily tasks. Also called dementia.DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Listed below are conditions associated with neurocognitive disorder.BRAIN INJURY CAUSED BY TRAUMABleeding into the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage) Bleeding into the space around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage) Subarachnoid hemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. This area is called the subarachnoid sp...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clot inside the skull but outside the brain and its covering, which may cause pressure on the brain (subdural or epidural hematoma) Subdural or epidural hematomaA chronic subdural hematoma is an "old" collection of blood and blood breakdown products between the surface of the brain and its outermost covering ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ConcussionConcussionA traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. There are three types of TBI:Mild TBI, a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BREATHING CONDITIONSLow oxygen in the body (hypoxia) High carbon dioxide level in the body (hypercapnia) CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS Dementia due to many strokes (multi-infarct dementia) Multi-infarct dementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart infections (endocarditis, myocarditis) EndocarditisEndocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MyocarditisMyocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The condition is called pediatric myocarditis when it occurs in children.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Transient ischemic attack (TIA) TIAA transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops for a brief time. A person will have stroke-like symptoms for ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DEGENERATIVE DISORDERSAlzheimer disease (also called senile dementia, Alzheimer type) Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a form of brain damage that leads to a rapid decrease in movement and loss of mental function.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diffuse Lewy body disease Huntington disease Huntington diseaseHuntington disease (HD) is a genetic disorder in which nerve cells in certain parts of the brain waste away, or degenerate. The disease is passed do...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal pressure hydrocephalus Normal pressure hydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of spinal fluid inside the fluid chambers of the brain. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "Normal pressure hydroce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Parkinson disease Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pick diseasePick diseaseFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare form of dementia that is similar to Alzheimer disease, except that it tends to affect only certain areas of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DEMENTIA DUE TO METABOLIC CAUSESDEMENTIA DUE TO METABOLIC CAUSESDementia is loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Dementia may also be referred to as major neurocognitive disorder. Dementia du...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney disease Kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease Liver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin deficiency (B1, B12, or folate) DRUG AND ALCOHOL-RELATED CONDITIONSAlcohol withdrawal state Alcohol withdrawal stateAlcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis suddenly stops drinking ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Intoxication from drug or alcohol use Alcohol useAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicine effect, such as corticosteroids, sedative-hypnotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a long-term effect of deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndromeWernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Withdrawal from drugs, such as sedative-hypnotics and corticosteroidsINFECTIONSAny sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection Blood poisoning (septicemia) SepticemiaSepticemia is bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) that often occurs with severe infections. Also called sepsis, septicemia is a serious, life-threate...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Brain infection (encephalitis) EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prion infections, such as mad cow disease Late-stage syphilis Complications of cancer and cancer treatment with chemotherapy can also lead to neurocognitive disorder.Other conditions that may mimic organic brain syndrome include:Depression DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neurosis PsychosisPsychosisPsychosis occurs when a person loses contact with reality. The person may: Have false beliefs about what is taking place, or who one is (delusions)S...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms can differ based on the disease. In general, organic brain syndrome causes:Agitation AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Long-term loss of brain function (dementia) DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe, short-term loss of brain function (delirium) DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests depend on the disorder, but may include: Blood tests Neuropsychological testing Electroencephalogram (EEG) ElectroencephalogramAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head CT scan Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head MRI Head MRIA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Many conditions are treated mainly with rehabilitation and supportive care to help the person with activities lost due to areas where brain function is affected.Medicines may be needed to reduce aggressive behaviors that can occur with some of the conditions. Outlook (Prognosis) Some disorders are short-term and reversible. But many are long-term or get worse over time. Possible Complications People with neurocognitive disorder often lose the ability to interact with others or function on their own. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if:You have been diagnosed with organic brain syndrome and you are uncertain about the exact disorder. You have symptoms of this condition. You have been diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder and your symptoms become worse.Open ReferencesReferencesBeck BJ, Tompkins KJ. Mental disorders due to another medical condition. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 21.Fernandez-Robles C, Greenberg DB, Pirl WF. Psycho-oncology: Psychiatric co-morbidities and complications of cancer and cancer treatment. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 56.Merrick ST, Jones S, Glesby MJ. Systemic manifestations of HIV/AIDS. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.