Evaluation of rapidly progressive dementia

The evaluation of patients with rapidly progressive dementia can be challenging, largely due to the rarity of the conditions responsible for such fulminant presentations of dementia. This article presents a framework for categorizing such disorders based on the underlying pathophysiology, including degenerative, inflammatory, vascular, toxic, metabolic, neoplastic, and infectious causes of rapidly progressive dementia. Diagnostic approaches, representative imaging abnormalities, and treatment options for these uncommon conditions are also presented.