Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a disease itself but a syndrome caused by various underlying brain disorders.
Dementia affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. It is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time.
Dementia results from damage to brain cells, interfering with their ability to communicate. The specific cause depends on the type of dementia.
Common causes include:
• Alzheimer’s Disease – Buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
• Vascular Dementia – Reduced blood flow to the brain, often from strokes or blood vessel damage.
• Lewy Body Dementia – Accumulation of Lewy bodies (abnormal protein deposits) in brain cells.
• Frontotemporal Dementia – Degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
• Traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease can also lead to dementia.
Dementia Diagnosis
• Medical history and symptom assessment
• Cognitive and neuropsychological tests to assess memory, thinking, and problem-solving
• Brain imaging (MRI, CT scans) to detect brain changes or damage
• Blood tests to rule out vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, or infections
• Psychiatric evaluation to rule out depression or other mental health conditions
Dementia Predisposing Factors
Some factors increase the risk of developing dementia, including:
- Age – Most common in people over 65
- Family history/genetics – Especially in early-onset Alzheimer’s
- Cardiovascular disease – Hypertension, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet
- Low educational attainment
- Social isolation
- Depression