{"id":24220,"date":"2025-06-09T08:53:03","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T07:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/?page_id=24220"},"modified":"2025-07-09T11:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T10:58:23","slug":"cognitive-symptoms-neurology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/neurology\/cognitive-symptoms-neurology\/","title":{"rendered":"Cognitive Symptoms-Neurology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<Link to PDF version><\/a><\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are often asked to see people with cognitive symptoms, typically memory issues. Many such people are concerned about dementia but have other explanations for their symptoms for which a neurology assessment is not required. We have written this for primary care and patients who are receiving a letter of advice back from neurology rather than an appointment. Typically, this information is about people under the age of 65, although it may also apply to older people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What types of cognitive symptoms can be managed in primary care without seeing a neurologist?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(also see Primary Care Management tab)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who experience cognitive symptoms are often understandably concerned that they may be developing a neurological condition such as dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s disease. However, these conditions only account for a minority of patients seen in memory clinics that focus on younger people and neurology clinics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many common causes of cognitive symptoms which are NOT dementia and cognitive symptoms are very common in the general population (see below<\/em>). So, any decision about seeing a neurologist needs to consider firstly \u2013 is there a cause ALREADY present which may explain the symptoms?<\/strong> and are the symptoms out of the ordinary compared to the general population<\/strong>? Research in Edinburgh shows how common symptoms are, such as forgetting conversations, losing things, or having word finding difficulty in HEALTHY people in their twenties (figure).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common causes of Cognitive symptoms that are NOT dementia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n


Anxiety\/ Depression\/ PTSD
Sleep Apnoea
Chronic pain \u2013 especially fibromyalgia \/ chronic migraine
Persistent fatigue\/stress
Sleep deprivation
Medication \u2013 especially opiates\/gabapentinoids
Functional Cognitive Symptoms*
Alcohol\/Substance misuse
Other known neurological conditions (eg MS, Epilepsy)
Traumatic Brain Injury**<\/strong>

* Evidence that someone has marked cognitive symptoms at times in contrast to good cognitive function at others (eg able to follow complex drama\/fulfil work obligations), able to report memory lapses in detail. Not better explained by other conditions on this list
** If minor, then direct symptoms from head injury usually last no more than 3 months<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cognitive
NHS Lothian<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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