Degenerative or Debilitative Neurologic Syndromes.

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive, debilitating impairments of neurologic function. Dementia affects cognition and function. Persons with cognitive deficits should undergo a full workup and may be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia may be assessed and treated individually. Parkinson disease is a disorder of movement. Levodopa is the standard treatment of dopamine-related movement symptoms. Associated symptoms should be assessed and treated. Other neurodegenerative syndromes are less common but highly debilitating. Currently, there are no curative or disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Novel therapies or research are in the pipeline.