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About Dementia

As we age, it’s normal for our brains to undergo changes, which can sometimes lead to memory loss. This experience can evoke a range of emotions and questions for both the affected individual and their loved ones, as memory loss may also be a sign of a medical condition like dementia.

Dementia

Dementia is a broad term that refers to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, thinking skills, perception, communication abilities, or behavior. This decline progressively worsens over time, potentially hindering the person’s ability to perform daily activities like driving or managing finances.

There are many causes of dementia, and a person may have more than one cause.

Living with Dementia

As the disease progresses, changes in symptoms and behavior can be expected. Explore available resources to help you navigate a dementia diagnosis.

Learn more>>

Is it normal aging or is it dementia?

Memory loss can be a normal part of aging but might also indicate medical conditions such as dementia. Learning the differences between typical aging signs and those requiring medical attention.

Common types of dementia

  • Alzheimer’s disease

    Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia where brain cells degenerate, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function.

    Symptoms

    Symptoms of dementia, like memory loss, can be related to normal aging or linked to other medical conditions, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis.

    Symptoms include:

    • Persisting and worsening memory loss
    • Difficulty thinking and concentrating
    • Difficulty making decisions, responding appropriately to everyday situations
    • Familiar or routine activities become difficult to remember or complete
    • Changes in personality and behavior
    • Depression
    • Mood swings, irritability and loss of inhibitions
    • Changes in sleep habits
    • Delusions

    Causes and risks 

    Researchers believe Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.

    Alzheimer’s risk factors include:

    • Age – risk increases greatly after the age of 65. Early-onset Alzheimer’s symptoms can begin in the 30s.
    • First-degree relatives with the disease
    • Down syndrome
    • Being a female
    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Severe head trauma
    • Lifestyle/lack of exercise
    • Obesity
    • High blood pressure or high cholesterol
    • Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
    • Lack of education and social activities
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons are nerve cells that control muscle cells. ALS attacks the motor neurons eventually causing them to die resulting in inability to move and control movement.

    Symptoms

    ALS symptoms usually begins in people ages 40 to 70 years. Although, adults can also experience symptoms in their 20s and 30s.

    Symptoms may be limited to a single area on the body or may affect multiple areas.

    The first signs of ALS, include:

    • Weakness in the hands or arms
    • Weakness in the legs or feet

    ALS patients may also experience:

    • Muscle cramps, spasms or twitching in the arms or legs
    • Difficulty walking/balancing
    • Difficulty speaking and swallowing
    • Fatigue

    Causes and risks

    The exact causes of ALS are unknown.

    ALS risk factors include:

    • Family history: 5% to 10% of ALS diagnoses are familial ALS, meaning the disease runs in the family.
    • Age: Risk increases between the ages of 40 and 60.
    • Gender: Men tend to develop ALS more than women.
    • Military service: Veterans are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS.

  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

    Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) occurs when certain proteins in the brain malfunction and are shaped differently than normal cells. These damaged cells can form clumps in the frontal and temporal lobes, blocking normal brain functioning and causing this progressive disease.

    Symptoms

    For those less than age 60, FTD is the leading cause of dementia. The majority of patients experience symptoms between the ages of 45 and 64, though studies have shown FTD can affect those in their 20s, 70s and 80s.

    People with FTD often come to the doctor’s office because of gradual changes in behavior or personality. They also may have trouble expressing themselves or weakness or slowing of movement.

    Symptoms include:

    • Changes in personality
    • Increased apathy
    • Loss of empathy
    • Disinhibition or impulsive behaviors
    • Cognitive change
    • Executive dysfunction

    Causes and risks

    The exact causes of frontotemporal dementia are unknown.

    Risks include having a family history of dementia.

  • Lewy body dementia

    Lewy body dementia, also referred to as dementia with Lewy bodies, is the second most common form of dementia in older adults. In Lewy body dementia, a protein normally found in the brain, accumulates and forms clusters called Lewy bodies. The Lewy bodies aggregate in areas of the brain important for memory, thinking and movement, causing changes in these behaviors.

    Symptoms

    Lewy body dementia symptoms include:

    • Vivid visual hallucinations of shapes, animals or people
    • Changes in thinking like poor attention, memory lapses and difficulty understanding spatial relationships
    • Periodic episodes of disorganized and confused thoughts
    • Movement disorder symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, like slowed motor movements, shuffling walking, poor balance, tremors and rigid muscles
    • Loss of smell
    • Excessive daytime sleepiness
    • Sleep disturbances including acting out dreams
    • Irregularities of autonomic nervous system functioning that may cause dizziness, constipation and fluctuations in blood pressure control
    • Feelings of depression
    • Lack of interest in activities

    Causes and Risks

    The exact causes of Lewy body dementia are unknown.

    Risk factors include:

    • Family history: Having a family member with Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease can increase risks of developing Lewy body dementia
    • Age: Risk increases after the age of 60
    • Gender: Men have an increased risk of being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia

  • Parkinson’s disease

    Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, which leads to depletion of the neurochemical and dopamine and affects movement. Over time, Parkinson’s can also affect thinking abilities and mood.

    Symptoms

    Parkinson’s disease symptoms include:

    • Shaking in the hands or fingers
    • Slowed motor movements
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Difficulty initiating movement
    • Poor balance
    • Stooped posture
    • Slower walking or dragging feet when walking
    • Changes in speech including lowered voice volume and hesitations when talking
    • Reduced facial expressions
    • Changes in memory, concentration or judgment
    • Changes in attention, problem-solving, memory and visuospatial skills
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Depression or anxiety

    Causes and risks

    The exact causes of Parkinson’s are unknown.

    Risk factors include:

    • Family history: The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with the more relatives in your family diagnosed with the disease.
    • Age: People usually develop Parkinson’s disease around the age of 60 or older.
    • Gender: Men have an increased risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s than women.
     

Can dementia be prevented?

While there is no guaranteed approach to prevent Alzheimer’s or other dementias yet, you can learn healthy lifestyle choices approved by Alzheimer’s.gov to enhance your brain health and potentially lower your risk.