Primary Forms Of Dementia
Dementia comes in a variety of forms, each with unique characteristics and underlying reasons. Dementia can be broadly categorized into three groups:
PRIMARY (where dementia is the main illness)
SECONDARY (where dementia is due to another disease or condition)
REVERSIBLE (where dementia-like symptoms are caused by other illnesses)
Today we’ll discuss primary forms of dementia. This refers to types where dementia is the primary disease itself, rather than a symptom of another illness or condition. The primary types of dementia include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia (60% to 80% of dementia cases). Abnormal proteins build up in the brain, disrupt communication between nerve cells, and eventually kill the nerve cells. Symptoms include short-term memory loss, confusion, personality and behavior changes. Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects adults who are older, and family history is an important risk factor.
Vascular Dementia
This is the second most common type of dementia (10% to 25% of dementia cases). Vascular dementia is caused by conditions such as a stroke, which blocks and damages blood vessels in the brain. Symptoms include memory problems, confusion and trouble concentrating and completing tasks. The decline may appear suddenly (following a major stroke) or in steps (following a series of mini strokes).
Lewy Body Dementia
This condition involves the buildup of clumps of proteins — called Lewy bodies — in the brain’s nerve cells. Lewy bodies damage nerve cells. Symptoms include movement and balance problems, changes in sleep patterns, memory loss, planning and problem-solving difficulties, and visual hallucinations and delusions. About 5% to 10% of dementias are Lewy Body dementia.
Frontotemporal Dementia
This dementia results from damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It causes changes in social behavior, personality, loss speaking, understanding or forgetting the meaning of common words. It also affects motor coordination. This type is a common cause of early dementia, often occurring in people between the ages of 45 and 64. Approximately 5% of all dementias are Frontotemporal.
Mixed Dementia
This is a combination of two or more types of dementia. The most common combination is Alzheimer’s disease with vascular dementia. It’s most common in people 80 years of age and over. It’s often hard to diagnose because symptoms of one dementia may be more obvious, or symptoms of each type overlap. The decline is faster in people who have mixed dementia compared with those who only have one type.
Progress In Dementia Research And Treatment
Each type of dementia affects a different part of the brain in varying ways - blood clots, abnormal protein deposits, brain infections, etc. For example, Alzheimer's disease often damages the area of the brain that affects memory, while frontotemporal dementia primarily leads to changes in personality and behavior.
While a cure for dementia may not be immediately available, progress is being made in research and treatment. Recent advancements include disease-modifying treatments such as lecanemab and donanemab, which have shown some effectiveness in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in early stages. Future dementia treatments may involve a combination of approaches, including medications that target specific proteins or pathways, and lifestyle interventions. Research is increasingly focused on early detection and intervention, with the goal of slowing down or preventing the disease from progressing, reducing symptoms and enhancing overall well-being.
This article is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a medical professional.