A A+ A+

Dementia Information

Dementia refers to a group of neurodegenerative brain disorders that can occur for a variety of reasons and that are generally progressive and incurable. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and like other forms, is characterized by specific changes in the brain, as well as noticeable symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. Each form of dementia has a different underlying cause in the brain. Diagnostic protocols can help to distinguish which type of dementia a specific patient may have, as well as to rule out other conditions that could lead to symptoms that resemble dementia.

Certain types of dementia, like those caused by injury or toxicity, can be reversed. Most forms of dementia can be treated, but the treatments address only the symptoms of dementia and not their underlying causes, limiting the positive impact of those interventions.  Behavioral tasks that involve the repetition of certain tasks have been shown to help those with dementia cope with their condition by improving their performance in certain areas critical to their daily life.
There is currently a significant amount of research being conducted to better understand dementia, its causes, and potential treatments.

References

Bouchard, R. W. (2007). Diagnostic criteria of dementia. Can J Neurol Sci, 34 Suppl 1, S11-18.

Buffum, M. D., & Buffum, J. C. (2005). Dementia treatment update. Geriatr Nurs, 26(2), 74-78. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2005.01.003

Hogan, D. B., Bailey, P., Black, S., Carswell, A., Chertkow, H., Clarke, B., . . . Thorpe, L. (2008a). Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 4. Approach to management of mild to moderate dementia. CMAJ, 179(8), 787-793. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.070803

Hogan, D. B., Bailey, P., Black, S., Carswell, A., Chertkow, H., Clarke, B., . . . Thorpe, L. (2008b). Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 5. Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. CMAJ, 179(10), 1019-1026. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.081103

Koch, T., & Iliffe, S. (2011). Dementia diagnosis and management: a narrative review of changing practice. Br J Gen Pract, 61(589), e513-525. doi: 10.3399/bjgp11X588493

Kua, E. H., Ho, E., Tan, H. H., Tsoi, C., Thng, C., & Mahendran, R. (2014). The natural history of dementia. Psychogeriatrics, 14(3), 196-201. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12053

Metzler-Baddeley, C. (2007). A review of cognitive impairments in dementia with Lewy bodies relative to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease with dementia. Cortex, 43(5), 583-600.

Raz, L., Knoefel, J., & Bhaskar, K. (2015). The neuropathology and cerebrovascular mechanisms of dementia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2015.164

Velayudhan, L., Ryu, S. H., Raczek, M., Philpot, M., Lindesay, J., Critchfield, M., & Livingston, G. (2014). Review of brief cognitive tests for patients with suspected dementia. Int Psychogeriatr, 26(8), 1247-1262. doi: 10.1017/s1041610214000416

Subscribe & keep up to date on Alzheimer's, Dementia & more!