Dementia is not a single disease but a clinical syndrome — a pattern of cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. It encompasses a range of progressive conditions that affect memory, thinking, language, orientation, and the capacity for independent daily living. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, though age is the most significant risk factor.
At IsraClinic, dementia assessment is conducted by a multidisciplinary team that includes a senior psychiatrist and a neurologist — providing the combined expertise that complex dementia cases require.
Alzheimer's disease — the most common cause, typically presenting with progressive episodic memory impairment followed by deterioration in language, orientation, and executive function.
Vascular dementia — resulting from cerebrovascular disease, often presenting with stepwise progression and prominent executive function difficulties.
Lewy body dementia — involving fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonian features. Requires particular care in medication selection, as many commonly used medications are contraindicated.
Frontotemporal dementia — predominantly affecting personality, behaviour, and language with memory relatively preserved in early stages; often presents in younger patients.
Mixed dementia — combinations of the above, common in older patients.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — cognitive decline greater than expected for age but not yet meeting criteria for dementia. A significant proportion of MCI cases progress to dementia, making accurate monitoring essential.
Common presentations include progressive memory difficulties — particularly for recent events; disorientation to time, place, or person; language difficulties; problems with planning and completing tasks; changes in personality and behaviour; impaired judgement; and in some forms, perceptual disturbances including hallucinations.
Behavioural and psychological symptoms — agitation, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and psychotic features — are common across all dementia types and significantly affect both patient and caregiver wellbeing.
Accurate dementia diagnosis requires a structured multidisciplinary assessment. At IsraClinic this includes a comprehensive clinical interview with the patient and a family member or close person who can provide collateral history of changes over time.
Neurological examination is conducted by the clinic's senior neurologist. Neuroimaging — MRI or CT with contrast — is indicated in most cases. Laboratory assessment covers thyroid function, vitamin B12, folate, complete blood count, metabolic panel, and other reversible causes of cognitive impairment that must be excluded before diagnosis is confirmed.
Neuropsychological assessment using standardised cognitive testing provides a detailed profile of cognitive strengths and deficits, establishes baseline functioning, and enables monitoring over time.
The distinction between dementia types — and between dementia and other conditions that can present with cognitive difficulties, including severe depression, metabolic disturbance, and medication effects — directly determines clinical management. Diagnosis is confirmed collegially by the psychiatric and neurological members of the team.
There is currently no cure for most dementia types — it is important to be transparent about this. The goals of management are to slow progression where possible, manage behavioural and psychological symptoms, maintain functioning and quality of life, and support both the patient and their family.
Pharmacotherapy for cognitive symptoms is prescribed based on the specific dementia type and stage. Medications for behavioural and psychological symptoms are selected with particular care, as many patients are sensitive to side effects. Prescribing follows a conservative, individually calibrated approach. Digital prescriptions are issued through the Yarpa system.
Psychosocial and supportive interventions are an important component of management. Art therapy, music therapy, and structured cognitive stimulation are available as complementary modalities within the clinical plan.
Family support and guidance is a clinical priority. Understanding the condition, its trajectory, and practical management strategies is essential for sustainable caregiving.
If you are concerned about memory difficulties or cognitive changes — particularly if they are progressive, noticed by others, or affecting daily functioning — a specialist assessment is appropriate.
Early assessment allows for accurate diagnosis, timely treatment where indicated, exclusion of reversible causes, and planning that gives the patient and their family the best possible foundation.
IsraClinic accepts patients for in-person consultation in Tel Aviv and online, in English, Russian and Hebrew. No referral is required.
Clinical Reviewer: Dr. Mark Zevin, MD — Senior Psychiatrist | Dr. Vadim Tashlykov, MD — Senior Neurologist | IsraClinic | Last reviewed: 2026
Memory and cognitive changes can be difficult to face — for patients and families alike. Early assessment makes a real difference. Our team is available in English, Russian and Hebrew.