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Alzheimer’s Disease is the Most Common Form of Dementia

Dementia is not a single disease; instead, it refers to symptoms related to a decline in memory, reasoning and thinking that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia stems from a variety of diseases and even injuries that affect the brain and lead to impairment. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most recognized form of dementia, there are several other types, each with its own set of symptoms and causes. The four most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that profoundly impacts cognitive abilities and memory. Marked by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease gradually leads to the death of neurons, resulting in memory loss, impaired thinking and the degradation of the physical structure of the brain.

Vascular Dementia
The most common causes of vascular dementia are a stroke, arteriosclerosis (known as hardening of the arteries), blood clots or other damage to the blood vessels leading to a blockage restricting the blood supply to the brain. The symptoms that present during vascular dementia include impaired memory, confusion, mood changes and problems doing daily tasks.

Lewy Body Dementia
With this form of dementia, abnormal clumps known as Lewy bodies form from the buildup of the protein alpha-synuclein. Lewy body dementia is associated with a reduction of certain neurotransmitters, including dopamine, that are essential for the control of muscle movement and memory. The earliest symptoms of Lewy body dementia include vivid visual hallucinations and issues with control of physical movement resembling Parkinson’s disease. People with Lewy body dementia may experience significant shifts in their focus and attentiveness from one moment to the next.

Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia encompasses a range of disorders due to damage to the neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The frontal lobes control our ability to move, think and remember. The temporal lobes play a key role in processing sensory information, including auditory and visual inputs, and are essential for understanding language. Individuals with this form of dementia may have changes in personality and social behavior, including impulsiveness or emotional flatness, and may lose the ability to understand or use language.

Each type of dementia progresses differently in terms of the physical changes in the brain and the cognitive changes caused by those physical changes. For example, memory loss is an early hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. A person with vascular dementia might first notice difficulty following through with plans, and someone with frontotemporal dementia may experience changes in how they behave or talk. Similarly, the challenges with movement that often accompany Lewy body dementia, like tremors and rigidity, are not seen in Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Recognizing the differences between Alzheimer’s disease and each of the other types of dementia is vital for accurate diagnosis and effectively tailoring care. It is important for those navigating the complexities of dementia—whether in themselves or a loved one—to seek professional advice. Knowledge and understanding are crucial tools in managing the challenges of dementia, ensuring those affected can lead as full and rewarding a life as possible.

The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease