dementia

Definition

A progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Areas particularly affected include memory, attention, judgement, language and problem solving.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin dementia.

Example Sentences

• "Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems— […]. Such a slow-release device containing angiogenic factors could be placed on the pia mater covering the cerebral cortex and tested in persons with senile dementia in long term studies."
• "In recent years some clinical trials involving potential dementia drugs have had disappointing setbacks."

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