Not an ED diagnosis, as definitive diagnosis only possible by autopsy
Evaluate for reversible/treatable causes of dementia
CBC, B12, folate, thiamine
LFTs, BMP, TSH, Urinalysis
ECG, CXR
ETOH, Utox, urine heavy metals
RPR, ESR, ANA, HIV
LP
MRI:
Areas of increased signal intensity bilaterally, mostly in caudate and putamen
Posterior thalamic hyperintensity
EEG
Usually nonspecific but abnormal
CBC, B12, folate, thiamine
LFTs, BMP, TSH, Urinalysis
ECG, CXR
ETOH, Utox, urine heavy metals
RPR, ESR, ANA, HIV
LP
Areas of increased signal intensity bilaterally, mostly in caudate and putamen
Posterior thalamic hyperintensity
Usually nonspecific but abnormal
Prion disease
Degenerative
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Alzheimer's disease
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
Huntington's disease
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Parkinson's disease