Delirium is typically reversible; dementia is usually irreversible

Delirium usually lasts only a few minutes; dementia lasts weeks to months

Delirium is often secondary to structural intracranial pathology, while dementia is due to chemical imbalance within the brain

The onset of delirium is gradual; the onset of dementia is rapid

Agitation is constant with delirium but intermittent with dementia