A person who suffers carbon monoxide poisoning may develop dementia.
Patient selection: history of carbon monoxide poisoning
Risk factors for dementia:
(1) more severe carbon monoxide poisoning, typically with prolonged hospitalization
(2) evidence of neurologic damage at the time of exposure, typically with coma
The onset of the dementia is typically delayed.
Imaging studies at the time of dementia onset may show a symmetric leukoencephalopathy.
The dementia may be reversible whole or in part, especially in a person younger than 60 years of age (Mizuma et al). Interventions that may improve neurologic function:
(1) hyperbaric oxygen therapy (even if weeks after the exposure)
(2) corticosteroid pulse therapy
Other causes of dementia (traumatic brain injury, stroke, drugs, etc) need to be considered when making the diagnosis.
