Dementia types
There are several types of dementia. They include but are
not limited to the following.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia,
accounting for 70–80%Trusted Source of cases. In Alzheimer’s disease, “plaques”
and “tangles” develop in and between the brain cells. Both are due to changes
in proteins.
A person may have short-term memory problems, difficulty
finding words and making decisions, and difficulty seeing things in three
dimensions.
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia occurs when unusual structures known as
Lewy bodies develop in the brain. These brain changes involve a protein called
alpha-synuclein.
In the early stages, there may be fluctuations in alertness,
hallucinations, and difficulty judging distance. The impact on short-term
memory may be less severe than it is with Alzheimer’s disease.
People with Parkinson’s disease may also have Lewy bodies.
Although doctors often consider Parkinson’s disease a disorder of movement,
symptoms of dementia can also appear.
Frontotemporal dementia
This condition involves damage to the front and sides of the
brain. It happens when brain cells die due to clumps of protein developing
inside them.
Depending on the part of the brain the condition affects,
the person may have difficulty with behaviour, speech and communication, or
both.
Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is an inherited genetic condition. The
main symptoms are uncontrolled movements, but dementia can also occur.
Early symptoms may include difficulty focusing,
irritability, and impulsivity. Depression may also be present. The person may
have difficulty with organizing, multitasking, and planning. These symptoms may
appear before movement changes develop.
Mixed dementia
When this happens, a person has a diagnosis of two or three
types together. For instance, a person may have both Alzheimer’s disease and
vascular dementia at the same time.
Early symptoms
Early symptoms of dementia vary between types but typically
include:
·
forgetfulness
·
mood changes
·
anxiety, anger, or depression
·
difficulty finding the right words
·
apathy
·
confusion
·
repeating speech or actions
·
difficulty following a storyline or recounting a
story
·
difficulty completing everyday tasks
·
a reduced sense of direction
·
difficulty adapting to changes
·
leaving everyday items in unusual places
Dementia causes
Some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, result
from the progressive death of brain cells and neurons. It develops and worsens
over time.
However, dementia can also result from head injuries,
stroke, brain tumours, and other causes. A stroke, for example, can stop blood
and oxygen from reaching brain cells, resulting in damage and cell death.
Receiving a blow to the head can damage brain cells directly.
Some types of traumatic brain injury — particularly if
repetitive, which can happen in some sports — may increase the risk of certain
types of dementia later in life.
Some other factors and conditions with similar symptoms include:
·
the use of some drugs
·
some infections, such as HIV or neurosyphilis
·
depression
·
vitamin B12 or E deficiency
·
thyroid problems
Dementia tests
Assessment usually involves a number of questions and tasks.
The following post will explore these in more detail.
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