A Brief Overview of Different Types of Dementia

The term "dementia" meaning, "deprived of mind," is defined by the World Health Organization as "a syndrome due to diseases of the brain, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there are disturbances of multiple higher cortical functions, including memory, thinking orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment." Dementia is commonly used to describe a condition in which there is a deterioration in cognitive function of the brain. It is generally a progressive disorder but if diagnosed properly and in a timely manner the effects can be treated and even reversed. There are some forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's Disease, that are irreversible and incurable.

The word "dementia" describes several diseases of the brain, the most common being Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Other forms of dementia include Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Parkinson's Disease, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, Pick's Disease, and Fronto-Temporal Dementia. There are also dementias that are the product of infections such as HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. A dementia known as Huntington's Chorea is caused by a genetically inherited condition. Those dementias that are triggered by non-organic psychiatric disorders, drugs, or alcohol are usually reversible. Medications can be prescribed in all cases of dementia to alleviate symptoms and to help a person perform their daily living activities.

Those who suffer from dementia lose their ability to perform the normal activities of daily life. These daily activities include things such as getting up in the morning, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, preparing meals, eating, and taking medications. Their skills slowly worsen as their capacity for solving problems declines and they lose control of their emotions. Some also have hallucinations and become confused and restless. Memory loss and trouble thinking clearly are the most common symptom of dementia. Other symptoms include disorientation, misplacing things, personality changes, and changes in mood. Usually a person who suffers from dementia is not even aware that there is a problem.

Dementia now affects an estimated 24.3 million people worldwide. Approximately 4.5 million new cases are reported every year and it is believed that this number will double within the next twenty years. The largest risk factor for developing dementia is age. The prevalence rate for those aged 65-70 is about 2% compared to about 20% in those aged 85-90. Statistics show that roughly 55% of dementia patients live in countries that are developed but the rate is beginning to increase in underdeveloped regions too as technology advances and the likelihood of diagnosis improves.

Sources

Glenner, Joy A. When Your Loved One Has Dementia: A Simple Guide for Caregivers. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins UP; 1 Edition, 2005.

Dowling, James R. Keeping Busy: A Handbook of Activities for Persons with Dementia. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins UP, 2005.

Kuhn, Daniel, and Jane Verity. The Art of Dementia Care. Florence, KY: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 Edition, 2007.

Agronin, Marc E. Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias: A Practical Guide (Practical Guides in Psychiatry). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Second Edition, 2007.

Miller, Bruce L., and Bradley F. Boeve. The Behavioral Neurology of Dementia (Cambridge Medicine). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge UP; 1 Edition, 2009.