2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Chapter 27: Cognitive Impairment including DementiaBACKGROUND27.1 About cognitive impairment and dementiaCognitive impairment, also called cognitive dysfunction or neuropsychological impairment,refers to any impairment of a cognitive function such as: memory attention language problem solving, or judgment.Cognitive impairment may have any number of causes including: brain trauma anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) infection toxicities, or degenerative, metabolic, or nutritional diseases. 18The presentation of cognitive impairment is variable depending on the cognitive functionsaffected and the degree of impairment. Cognitive impairment may progress to dementia, it mayremain stable, or there may be a recovery of normal cognitive function.DementiaDementia refers to a disorder characterized by memory impairment in conjunction with one ormore other cognitive deficits. In North America, the most commonly used criteria for thediagnosis of a dementia are those articulated by the American Psychiatric Association. Thedefining features of dementia are:A. The development of multiple cognitive deficits that include both(1) memory impairment (impaired ability to learn new information or to recallpreviously learned information)(2) one or more of the following cognitive disturbances:18 Persistent cognitive impairment in association with other medical conditions is referenced in the followingchapters: Cardiovascular Diseases and Disorders, Cerebrovascular Disease, Intracranial Tumours, PsychotropicDrugs, Neurological Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, Chronic Renal Disease, Respiratory Diseases, SleepDisorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Vestibular Disorders.334