It is common to encounter confusion between the terms “dementia” and “Major Neurocognitive Disorder.” While often used interchangeably, these terms hold distinct meanings within medical and everyday contexts. This article clarifies their relationship, providing a clearer understanding of a significant health concern.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease but an overarching term for a collection of symptoms. These symptoms involve a decline in cognitive abilities like memory, thinking, language, and problem-solving. This decline is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life and independent function.
What is Major Neurocognitive Disorder?
Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) is the formal clinical and diagnostic term used by medical professionals. This term gained prominence with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It signifies a significant decline from a person’s previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains. These include complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor skills, or social cognition. This decline must interfere with independence in everyday activities, such as managing finances or medications.
Connecting the Terms: The Diagnostic Relationship
Major Neurocognitive Disorder is the contemporary medical term encompassing what is commonly known as dementia. The American Psychiatric Association shifted this terminology in the DSM-5 for a more precise and less stigmatizing diagnosis. While the public uses “dementia” for the symptoms, clinicians diagnose “Major Neurocognitive Disorder” when specific criteria are met. Both terms refer to the same clinical phenomenon, with “dementia” as the familiar umbrella term and “Major Neurocognitive Disorder” as the specific diagnostic classification. This emphasizes it is a distinct medical disorder, not just an aspect of aging.
Common Underlying Conditions
Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) can result from various underlying diseases that damage the brain.
Common causes include:
Alzheimer’s disease (most frequent, 60-80% of cases)
Vascular dementia (affecting brain blood vessels)
Lewy body dementia (abnormal protein deposits)
Frontotemporal dementia (degeneration in specific brain regions)
Parkinson’s disease
Huntington’s disease
Less common causes include traumatic brain injury, HIV infection, or certain nutritional deficiencies.
Why Understanding Matters
Understanding the relationship between “dementia” and “Major Neurocognitive Disorder” holds importance for individuals and families. This clarity helps reduce stigma by framing cognitive decline as a diagnosable medical condition. It also facilitates clearer communication with healthcare providers, ensuring precise discussions about diagnosis and care plans. Recognizing symptoms and seeking a formal diagnosis of Major Neurocognitive Disorder encourages earlier recognition, leading to timely interventions and support. This knowledge empowers informed decisions about future care, allowing navigation with greater understanding.