Who Diagnoses Dementia Best? Neurologist, Psychiatrist or Geriatrician?

If you or a loved one is experiencing memory problems, confusion, or changes in mood or behaviour, one of the first questions to arise is:
“What kind of doctor should I see for dementia?”

Dementia is a complex condition, and getting the right diagnosis — and the right support — often depends on seeing the most appropriate specialist. In the UK, the doctors most commonly involved in dementia diagnosis and care are:

• Neurologists
• Old age psychiatrists
• Geriatricians with a specialist interest in dementia

Your GP (General Practitioner) also plays a key role in the initial assessment and referral process.

So how do you choose between them? Below, we explain what each specialist does — and why, for most older adults, a geriatrician with cognitive expertise may be best placed to lead diagnosis and treatment.

Neurologist: Ideal for Younger-Onset and Rare Dementias

Neurologists are specialists in the brain and nervous system. They are highly trained in diagnosing neurological diseases, including early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and other rare or complex forms of dementia.

They typically focus on:

• Brain imaging (MRI, PET scans)
• Neurological assessments
• Research-led diagnosis and trials

However, neurologists often work primarily with younger patients and may have limited experience in managing:

• Older adults with multiple health problems
• Medication interactions (polypharmacy)
• Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)

In particular, symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety or mood changes are common in dementia and can cause significant distress for both patients and families — but neurologists are not typically trained to manage these aspects.

Old Age Psychiatrist: Focus on Mental Health and Behaviour

Old age psychiatrists specialise in the mental health challenges of later life, including those associated with dementia. They are skilled in managing:

• Depression, anxiety, and agitation
• Behavioural changes in dementia
• Carer stress and family dynamics

However, psychiatrists do not have general medical training, which limits their ability to:

• Understand complex co-existing health conditions in older patients
• Manage the interaction between dementia symptoms and other illnesses
• Recognise physical signs of certain types of dementia (e.g. Lewy Body Dementia)

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), for example, often presents with physical symptoms such as tremor, sleep disturbance, or visual hallucinations — and is frequently missed by psychiatric teams who may misdiagnose it as Alzheimer’s or mixed dementia.

Geriatrician: Holistic Dementia Care for Older Adults

Geriatricians are medical specialists in the health of older people — and those with a subspecialty in memory and cognitive disorders are ideally positioned to assess and manage suspected dementia in older adults.

They offer:

• A comprehensive, whole-person assessment
• Understanding of how multiple health conditions and medications interact
• Expertise in diagnosing and managing behavioural symptoms of dementia
• Support for carers and long-term planning

Because dementia in older adults is rarely an isolated issue, geriatricians can balance the cognitive picture with:

• Heart and blood pressure medications that may interact with memory drugs
• Confusion triggered by infections, pain or medication side effects
• Mobility, frailty and falls risks

This holistic, integrated approach means that geriatricians are often the best doctors to lead dementia diagnosis and care for older adults.

Why Dr Soumit Singhai Offers a Unique Blend of Expertise

Dr Soumit Singhai is a consultant geriatrician with dual specialist expertise in both cognitive and movement disorders, as well as extensive experience managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This combination is rare and highly valuable — enabling him to take a holistic, medically-informed view of each patient, while still offering deep specialist insight into complex conditions.

He has particular expertise in the diagnosis and management of Lewy Body Dementia — a common but often overlooked cause of cognitive decline in older adults. Many patients come to Dr Singhai after years of uncertainty or misdiagnosis, often having been told they have Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. His approach provides both diagnostic clarity and targeted treatment strategies that improve quality of life for patients and reduce distress for families.

Importantly, Dr Singhai’s training allows him to manage both the cognitive and medical aspects of dementia, including:

• Mood and behavioural changes (e.g. aggression, hallucinations, anxiety)
• Underlying physical health issues that may worsen cognition
• Complex medication regimens (polypharmacy)

Lewy Body Dementia: A Commonly Missed but Treatable Condition

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is the second most common cause of degenerative dementia in older adults. Yet, it is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s or a mixed dementia — leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment.

LBD typically presents with a unique constellation of symptoms, including:

• Visual hallucinations
• Parkinsonian features (slowness, tremor, stiffness)
• REM sleep behaviour disorder
• Fluctuating alertness or cognition

Because LBD straddles both cognitive and movement disorders, it requires specialist knowledge to diagnose correctly — something that many general neurologists or psychiatrists may not possess. Dr Singhai has extensive experience identifying and managing LBD, and his assessments often lead to the right diagnosis after years of missteps elsewhere.

With appropriate treatment, patients with LBD can experience significant improvements in quality of life — and families can gain reassurance and a plan for moving forward.

Private Dementia Diagnosis in London

At our boutique private memory clinic, we provide rapid access to:

• Consultant-led dementia assessments
• Same-week diagnostic clarity
• MRI brain imaging and cognitive testing
• Medication advice, carer support and ongoing care plans

If you’re unsure where to start — or have been left with more questions than answers — our team is here to help.

To arrange a private dementia assessment, contact us:

Phone: 0207 062 7248
Email: drsinghaisecretary@outlook.com

FAQs: Choosing a Specialist for Dementia Diagnosis

Q: What doctor should I see for memory loss or suspected dementia?
A: For older adults, a geriatrician with cognitive expertise is usually best placed to lead diagnosis and management.

Q: Is a neurologist or psychiatrist better for dementia?
A: Neurologists focus on younger and rarer forms; psychiatrists on mood and behaviour. A geriatrician combines medical, cognitive and behavioural care.

Q: Can I get a private dementia assessment in the UK?
A: Yes — our clinic offers private dementia assessments with short wait times, expert-led care, and personalised support.