Types of Dementia

Dementia is a group of neurological conditions that causes a decline in brain function. This debilitating condition has been known to humans for centuries. There are more than 100 diseases that can cause dementia. It is a condition that affects the brain and can cause memory loss, difficulty with thinking, and other cognitive impairments. The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. While the risk of developing dementia increases with age, it can also affect people in their 40s and 50s. When any form of dementia is diagnosed in people under the age of 65, it is referred to as 'younger onset dementia'. Let’s understand the distinct forms of dementia.

Dementia: Different Types

Dementia is not one disease but an umbrella term that includes various types. Here are the types of dementia.

• Alzheimer's disease

This is the most common type of dementia, which is a physical brain condition that impairs memory, thinking, and behaviour. It disrupts the communication between brain neurons, which affects their normal functioning. Due to a decrease in important chemicals, messages in the brain do not travel normally. People with Alzheimer's disease face various challenges and changes throughout the progression of the condition. Although the progression varies from person to person, an individual's abilities deteriorate over time.

• Vascular dementia

This is a type of dementia caused by damage to the brain resulting from restricted blood flow. This condition affects various cognitive abilities, including reasoning, planning, judgment, and attention. The changes in abilities and skills can be significant enough to interfere with a person's daily work or social functioning. It is common for vascular damage to occur alongside other brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Lewy bodies are protein deposits in the brain that cause problems with thinking, memory, movement, and sleep. They can also cause visual hallucinations and physical actions during dreams.

• Frontotemporal dementia

This medical condition causes gradual damage to either the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, or both regions of the brain. Unlike other forms of dementia, memory is typically not affected, especially in the early stages of the condition. Damage can affect behaviour, personality, language, and movement. Frontotemporal dementia is more frequently diagnosed in individuals who are younger than 65 years of age.

• Parkinson’s Dementia

Parkinson's disease patients have a 50-80% chance of developing dementia. The symptoms of dementia typically appear about 10 years after the initial diagnosis of Parkinson's. This type of dementia is quite similar to Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), as both conditions share common symptoms, and Lewy bodies are found in the brains of individuals with either condition.

• Alcohol-Related Dementia

This form of dementia occurs due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. This condition adversely affects memory, learning, and other cognitive functions. Two specific types of alcohol-related brain injuries that can lead to alcohol-related dementia are Korsakoff's syndrome and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.