9. Decreased or Poor Judgment: The Cognitive Tangle of Mixed Dementia
Decreased or poor judgment, a characteristic symptom of mixed dementia, often manifests itself in ways that can seem unusual or out of character for the person affected. This could involve financial decisions that seem irrational, like spending money recklessly or falling for scams. Alternatively, it could appear in personal aspects, such as a decline in personal grooming and cleanliness.
In understanding the root of these issues, it’s vital to consider the role of the brain’s frontal lobes. These areas of the brain are largely responsible for decision-making and judgment. When mixed dementia starts to affect a person’s cognitive faculties, it’s often these regions that are impacted, causing the observed decrease in judgment.
Alzheimer’s disease, a core component of mixed dementia, involves the buildup of harmful proteins known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles. As these structures increase in the brain, they cause damage and death to neurons, including those in the frontal lobes. This neuronal damage can impair a person’s judgment, leading to poor decision-making.
Similarly, in vascular dementia, the other significant contributor to mixed dementia, judgment can be affected. This condition involves the reduction of blood flow to the brain due to strokes or mini-strokes. When these vascular issues occur, they can deprive essential areas of the brain, like the frontal lobes, of necessary oxygen and nutrients, resulting in neuronal death.
Consistent patterns of poor judgment can be a crucial sign of underlying cognitive problems related to mixed dementia. It’s vital for friends, family, and caretakers to be aware of this symptom, as early recognition can lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of the condition. (9)
