| Learn About Dementia |
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Below are some common forms of dementia. You can also view our Information Resources page that contains additional links to other information sites. Dementia is a word that is used to describe a set of symptoms which includes loss of memory, understanding, and judgment. In additional to cognitive decline, the individual may experience changes in personality, behaviour, and their ability to perform normal activities of daily living. People who have a dementia will experience difficulties or changes in two or more symptoms, and it will be progressively worse over time. Dementia affects a person’s daily functioning. Not everyone who exhibits memory loss or confusion has dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. AD accounts for approximately of 40-50% cases of dementia. Although memory loss is a symptom of the disease, it is not the only symptom. Alzheimer Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that leads to a loss of mental functioning that affects day-to-day activities. Several changes occur in the brain over time. Vascular Dementia (VaD) (also known as Multi-Infarct Dementia) is the next most common causes of dementia. It is a type of dementia caused by problems with the supply of blood to, or within the brain. It is often the result of a “mini” stroke, which occurs when blood flow in the brain is blocked. There are symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease but the decline occurs “in steps” rather than the more gradual decline seen with AD. Symptoms vary, depending on which parts of the brain have been damaged and how severe the damage is. Mixed Dementia is when individuals are diagnosed with having both Alzheimer’s disease and a Vascular Dementia. Many experts believe mixed dementia occurs more often than was previously realized. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person has problems with memory, language, or another cognitive function. It may be noticeable to other people and it will show up on tests. It is not serious enough to interfere with daily life. It is still debated if all cases of MCI are precursors to AD. Frontal Lobe Dementia (FTD) is a type of dementia that develops in the Frontal Lobe area of the brain. It is sometimes called Pick’s Disease. Frontal Lobe Dementia will also be called Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia (FTLD). Damage may be evident in both the temporal lobes and the frontal lobes of the brain. Symptoms can appear as a decline in the affected individual’s language or communication skills or as changes in behavior. Memory loss is not as prevalent at the early stages as in AD. Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) can mimic Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s Disease. It is more common than once believed. Key symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia are hallucinations both visual and/or auditory and the severity of symptoms can vary from day to day. Individuals with Lewy Body Dementia tend to have an extreme sensitivity to antipsychotic medications. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare and rapidly progressing dementia caused by an infectious agent that is composed primarily of protein known as a prion. This dementia is often referred to as the human version of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or “Mad Cow Disease”. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (Alcohol-Related Dementia) is a result of excessive drinking over a period of years. It manifests itself in memory loss and loss of other cognitive skills. Personality changes can also be evident. It is often accompanied by symptoms of nerve damage. Nutrition problems which accompany chronic heavy use of alcohol are thought to be responsible some of these changes in the brain. To learn more about Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome click here. Other conditions that may lead to a dementia are:
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