DEMENTIA: ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND MODERN APPROACHES TO EARLY DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, deficits in attention, and disturbances in emotional and behavioral regulation. With global life expectancy increasing, the prevalence of dementia continues to rise, making early diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention a major clinical priority. Alzheimer’s disease remains the most common form; however, vascular, mixed, and metabolically induced dementias comprise a substantial portion of cases, reflecting a heterogeneous etiological structure. The aim of this study was to identify the most significant etiological determinants and diagnostic criteria that allow differentiation of dementia subtypes at early stages. The research methodology included clinical assessment, neuropsychological testing, MRI-based neuroimaging, and biochemical markers, with statistical analysis performed using ANOVA and correlation methods. The results highlight the advantages of combining neuropsychological scales, MRI, and metabolic markers such as vitamin B12 and homocysteine for improving early detection of cognitive decline. The findings underscore the necessity of a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to enhance accuracy and optimize patient outcomes.