Dementia
Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – that leads to deterioration in cognitive
function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of
biological ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity,
language, and judgment. Consciousness is not affected. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly
accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behavior, or motivation.
Symptoms
Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include:
Cognitive changes
Memory loss, which is usually noticed by someone else
Difficulty communicating or finding words
Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
Difficulty handling complex tasks
Difficulty with planning and organizing
Difficulty with coordination and motor functions
Confusion and disorientation
Psychological changes
Personality changes
Depression
Anxiety
Inappropriate behavior
Paranoia
Agitation
Hallucinations
Causes
Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the
area of the brain that's damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.
Dementias are often grouped by what they have in common, such as the protein or proteins deposited in the
brain or the part of the brain that's affected. Some diseases look like dementias, such as those caused by a
reaction to medications or vitamin deficiencies, and they might improve with treatment.
Progressive dementias
Types of dementias that progress and aren't reversible include:
Alzheimer's disease. This is the most common cause of dementia.
Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – that leads to deterioration in cognitive
function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of
biological ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity,
language, and judgment. Consciousness is not affected. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly
accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behavior, or motivation.
Symptoms
Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include:
Cognitive changes
Memory loss, which is usually noticed by someone else
Difficulty communicating or finding words
Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
Difficulty handling complex tasks
Difficulty with planning and organizing
Difficulty with coordination and motor functions
Confusion and disorientation
Psychological changes
Personality changes
Depression
Anxiety
Inappropriate behavior
Paranoia
Agitation
Hallucinations
Causes
Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the
area of the brain that's damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.
Dementias are often grouped by what they have in common, such as the protein or proteins deposited in the
brain or the part of the brain that's affected. Some diseases look like dementias, such as those caused by a
reaction to medications or vitamin deficiencies, and they might improve with treatment.
Progressive dementias
Types of dementias that progress and aren't reversible include:
Alzheimer's disease. This is the most common cause of dementia.
