Neurocognitive disorders can be characterized by what kind of onset of cognitive decline?

Neurocognitive disorders are typically characterized by an insidious onset of cognitive decline, meaning that the deterioration occurs gradually over time rather than suddenly or in a more acute fashion. This gradual process allows individuals, families, and healthcare providers to sometimes overlook or underestimate the severity and impact of the cognitive changes initially.

For example, conditions like Alzheimer's disease begin with subtle memory lapses and cognitive difficulties that progressively worsen, leading to significant impairments in daily functioning. This insidious nature of onset helps differentiate neurocognitive disorders from other types of cognitive impairments that may be caused by acute factors like traumatic brain injury or substance intoxication, which tend to occur suddenly and may resolve with treatment of the underlying issue. Therefore, an insidious onset is a hallmark of the cognitive decline associated with neurocognitive disorders, reflecting the chronic nature of these conditions.