Causes of Dementia

Dementia is caused by damage or changes in the brain, which leads to a decline in cognitive abilities.

Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. It damages the brain through the build-up of ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ that destroy brain cells.
Vascular dementia: This form of dementia is often caused by a stroke or a series of mini-strokes that deprive the brain of oxygen, leading to brain cell death.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies: This form is caused by abnormal protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, that disrupt the brain’s normal functioning.
Frontotemporal dementia: Frontotemporal dementia is the result of damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, causing a variety of symptoms such as personality changes and language difficulties.
Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: These are less common causes of dementia, resulting from specific genetic and/or environmental factors.

Though most cases of dementia are not directly inherited, certain forms like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease can be.
Genetic factors can increase the risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, but do not guarantee that the condition will develop.

Lifestyle choices, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity, can increase the risk of developing dementia.
Cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity in mid-life, are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Some infections and immune disorders can also lead to dementia. However, such cases are rare and more research is needed to fully understand these links.

Understanding the causes of dementia can help guide treatment, manage the condition, and potentially, prevent its onset.