a term that refers to physical disorders (not psychiatric in origin) that impair mental functions.
A group of diseases resulting from damage to the brain and usually characterized by loss of memory and confusion. May be acute as in delirium or chronic as in dementia. Alzheimer's disease is an example of a chronic organic brain syndrome.
Organic Brain Syndrome is a general term referring to many acute and chronic physical disorders that cause impaired mental function. It does not usually include psychiatric disorders. Though OBS is a common diagnosis in the elderly, it is related to disease processes and is not an inevitable part of aging.