| Dementia | Delirium | Depression |
Onset | Gradual | Acute | Recent |
Reversibility | Usually irreversible (95%) [1] | Usually reversible (90%) [1] | Reversible with treatment |
Alertness | Usually constant | Prominent fluctuations | Usually constant |
Memory Loss | Often unaware of memory loss | Inattention is more common | Often c/o memory loss |
Miscellaneous | Normal/mildly slow EEG waves | Patients with dementia at higher risk | May be family hx of depression |
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1. Mendez MF, Cummings JL. Dementia: a clinical approach. 3rd ed. Philadelphia (PA): Elsevir Inc; 2003.