The author’s primary purpose is to:
(A) discuss problems that arise from a failure to distinguish between depression and dementia - problems arising from it are irrelevant.
(B) explicate the difficulties in differentiating between dementia and depression in the elderly - correct. (Explicate = Analyse)
(C) contrast the efficacy of cognitive testing with other diagnostic methods - other methods irrelevant.
(D) lobby for funding for research into more effective methods of cognitive assessments - out of scope
(E) describe the cognitive performance of normal, depressed, and demented elderly - not a concern
Which of the following are cited by the passage as reasons why it is difficult to differentiate between dementia and depression?
I. Similar symptoms are manifest in the early stages of both disorders - "Many of the subjective and vegetative symptoms of depression, such as apathy and sleep disturbances, also occur in individuals in the early stages of dementia."
II. People with dementia have an increased vulnerability to depression - Not mentioned
III. Dementia and depression have the same, underlying organic cause. - Not mentioned
Why does the author discuss olfactory impairment in the second paragraph?
"Olfactory problems are frequent in neurodegenerative disorders, but depressed individuals almost never exhibit a decreased sense of smell."
(A) To bolster his assertion that the symptoms of depression and dementia overlap - Author cites it to show differences between them
(B) To demonstrate that dementia has an underlying, organic genesis while depression does not - irrelevant.
(C) To provide a concrete example of a distinguishing symptom of dementia - Correct. Shows why dementia is different than depression
(D) To illustrate the breadth of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders - irrelevant
(E) To cite an example of sensory impairment common in the elderly - irrelevant
According to the passage, all of the following are ways to distinguish between depression and dementia in the elderly EXCEPT:
(A) sensory functioning - "Olfactory problems are frequent in neurodegenerative disorders, but depressed individuals almost never exhibit a decreased sense of smell"
(B) less than normal performance on cognitive tests - Not mentioned
(C) willingness to guess during cognitive testing - "In memory tasks, depressed patients have exhibited a tendency towards a conservative response bias and reluctance to guess. Conversely, dementia patients are far more likely to venture an answer even when they are unsure of its accuracy."
(D) duration of tolerance for symptoms - "the time between onset of symptoms and seeking of treatment may also provide a clue"
(E) response to antidepressant medication - "Antidepressants will generally improve the cognitive dysfunction associated with depression but will have minimal effect on organic degeneration."