Despite the increased attention that the syndrome of pseudodementia is 
receiving, several important questions regarding diagnostic criteria and 
accuracy, etiology, and even the appropriateness of the term itself remain 
unanswered. The author reviews the literature on this topic, including published 
case reports. On the basis of the available data, it appears that there may be 
at least two categories of pseudodementia and that the cognitive impairment 
associated with depressive illness is more appropriately viewed as a 
depression-induced organic mental disorder. Directions for future research are 
suggested.