Types of Dementia

Types of Dementia

Understanding Dementia

  • Dementia is not a single disease but a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
  • It is characterised by memory loss, trouble with thinking or problem-solving, difficulties with language and a decrease in visual perception.

Common Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting approximately 60-80% of people with dementia.
  • It is characterised by the presence of ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ in the brain which lead to the death of brain cells.
  • Symptoms might include memory loss, trouble planning or problem-solving and difficulties with speech or writing.

Vascular Dementia

  • Second most common type of dementia, vascular dementia is caused by lack of blood and oxygen to the brain often due to a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
  • Symptoms may include problems with speed of thought, understanding, memory and language.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

  • This type of dementia involves protein deposits known as lewy bodies developing in nerve cells in the brain regions involved in thinking, memory and motor control.
  • Symptoms can be similar to those of Alzheimer’s and may include sleep disturbances, visual hallucinations and movement disorders.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

  • This is a less common type of dementia and is caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
  • Symptoms may include changes in personality and behaviour, and difficulties with language.

Mixed Dementia

  • It is possible to have more than one type of dementia at the same time. Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia are the most common combinations in mixed dementia.
  • Symptoms are a combination of the types of dementias involved.

Remember, dementia is not a normal part of aging - while it’s prevalent among the elderly, it can affect younger people too. Early detection and intervention can help manage the symptoms better.