Fact 10: Different Types of Dementia
Dementia is not a single disease but a general term for a range of conditions that impair cognitive function. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia, each with their unique symptoms and progression patterns.
Alzheimer’s disease primarily impacts memory, particularly the ability to remember recent events. As the disease progresses, symptoms can expand to include difficulties with language, decision-making, and performing familiar tasks. In the late stages, personality changes and difficulty with movement can occur.
Vascular dementia, the second most common type, often occurs after a stroke when blood flow to the brain is blocked. This form of dementia tends to progress in a stepwise manner, with symptoms appearing suddenly and then plateauing for a time before a new event causes further decline.
Dementia with Lewy bodies presents with not only cognitive symptoms but also significant physical ones. People with this type of dementia often experience sleep disturbances, visual hallucinations, and motor symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease, such as rigidity and a shuffling walk.
Frontotemporal dementia, a less common type, primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for behavior, personality, and language. In this type, behavior and personality changes often precede memory loss. (10)
