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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease pp 119–136Cite as

Cognitive Function

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Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as previously discussed in other chapters, is a chronic disease with systemic manifestations affecting individuals impairment in the lungs. The brain and associated cognitive functions are not exempt from the systemic effects of COPD. Cognitive function refers to several cognitive processes that influence an individual’s ability to learn, remember, judge, decide, and plan. Deterioration of cognitive processes is known to be associated with age, but has not been as widely appreciated in chronic illnesses such as COPD. Alterations in cognitive function due to COPD are entwined with normal cognitive decline resulting from normal aging. This chapter reviews normal cognitive aging, cognitive function in COPD, common screening techniques used to detect cognitive changes, and treatment approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Denver College of Nursing, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Paula Meek

Authors
  1. Paula Meek
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Correspondence to Paula Meek .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Cent, Chief, Pulmonary and Critical Care, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Chalkstone Ave. 830, Providence, 02908, Rhode Island, USA

    Linda Nici

  2. St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Associate Chief, Pulmonary and Critical, University of Connecticut School of Medi, Woodland St. 114, Hartford, 06105, Connecticut, USA

    Richard ZuWallack

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Meek, P. (2012). Cognitive Function. In: Nici, L., ZuWallack, R. (eds) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-673-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-673-3_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-672-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-673-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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