Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides a framework for the diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders based on three syndromes: delirium, mild neurocognitive disorder and major neurocognitive disorderMajor neurocognitive disorder is mostly synonymous with dementia, although the criteria have been modified so that impairments in learning and memory are not necessary for diagnosisDSM-5 describes criteria to delineate specific aetiological subtypes of mild and major neurocognitive disorderThe diagnostic certainty of an aetiological diagnosis is based on clinical features and biomarkers, and can be qualified as probable or possibleThe DSM-5 criteria are consistent with those developed by various expert groups for the different aetiological subtypes of neurocognitive disordersFurther validation in clinical practice is necessary, but we expect these criteria will have high reliability and validity, and widespread adoption will bring consistency to the diagnosis of diverse neurocognitive disorders