What is the term for a progressive mental condition that affects cognitive functions such as memory?

Dementia refers to a progressive mental condition characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, including memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. This disorder significantly impacts daily life and can lead to difficulties in performing everyday tasks. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience increased confusion, a lack of ability to communicate effectively, and changes in behavior.

In contrast, amnesia primarily relates to memory loss and may not involve the broader decline in cognitive abilities associated with dementia. Depression, while it can affect cognitive functions and memory, is primarily classified as a mood disorder and does not inherently imply the gradual cognitive decline characteristic of dementia. Delirium, on the other hand, is usually a rapid onset and temporary state that primarily affects attention and consciousness, making it fundamentally different from the chronic nature of dementia. Therefore, dementia is the term that most accurately describes the progressive mental condition impacting various cognitive functions, including memory.