Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are progressive brain disorders that cause changes in memory, behavior and thinking abilities. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's, while other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. All types of dementia cause a decline in cognitive and functional abilities, causing patients to be more susceptible to falls, injury and immobility. Alzheimer's is an irreversible, progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, behavior and ultimately, overall wellbeing. It is the most common form of dementia, representing up to 70 percent of cases. It is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain leading to the formation of deposits made up of a protein called amyloid-β, and neurofibrillary tangles consisting of tau protein. This results in an increasing decline of intellectual abilities, impaired motor skills, language difficulties, aggression and confusion. Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels and occurs when poor blood flow to the brain hampers the oxygen supply to brain cells, leading to their death and impairments to thinking and memory. It typically occurs as a result of a stroke, but can also be caused by other conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Lewy body dementia is named after the abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein that are found in nerve cells in the brain. It is characterized by changes in mood, thinking and behavior, with symptoms including severe depression, sleep disturbances, memory problems and slow movement. Frontotemporal dementia is caused by atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This affects speech, language skills, complex reasoning and problem solving, behavior and emotions. Although there is currently no cure for any form of dementia, early diagnosis allows for preventive measures to be taken such as providing adequate nutrition, reducing risk of falls, assistance with activities of daily living, and providing psychological and spiritual support. Treatment of the underlying cause can delay the progression of symptoms. Medications are also available to help manage the symptoms, including cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotics and antidepressants.