Most Common Causes of Metabolic Dementia

Dementia, a brain condition causing loss of mental function and acuity, has many causes. Dementia is more frequent in the elderly, but can occur at any age, particularly the type of dementia known as metabolic dementia.

Definition

• Metabolic dementia is dementia caused by a disorder of the metabolic system, according to information published on the website of the University of Maryland Medical Center. When a metabolic condition causes dementia, changes in intellectual function or reasoning may be temporary or permanent.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of metabolic dementia may include: speech difficulties; cognitive confusion; hearing and vision loss; personality changes; and loss of intellectual function, judgment and memory; according to the website Medline Plus.

Metabolic Disorders

• Metabolic system disorders include: endocrine disorders, diabetes, thyroid disease, liver and kidney disease and general disorders that affect the metabolic system, including some types of malnutrition.

Endocrine Disorders

• Metabolic endocrine disorders that can contribute to metabolic dementia include: Addison's disease, Cushing's disease; diabetic ketoacidosis and nephropathy, insulinoma; hypoglycemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, pheochromocytoma and thyrotoxicosis, according to Medline Plus.

General Disorders

• Acid/base disorders, including metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, can contribute to metabolic dementia, according to the University of Maryland website. Also cited are fluid electrolyte imbalance disorders, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia, kidney failure with uremia, uremic poisoning, liver disease and porphyria.

Malnutrition

• Metabolic nutritional conditions that can cause metabolic dementia include: severe vitamin B1 and B12 deficiencies, pellagra and lack of sufficient protein calories in the diet, according to the University of Maryland.