There are at least 10 common types of dementia, each caused by different changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but many others exist and are caused by different factors. Other forms include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and more.
Each type affects memory, thinking, behavior, and daily function differently. Understanding the distinctions can help families recognize symptoms earlier and seek the right kind of care and support.
Every February, the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners dedicates a special week to nurturing compassion and respect for those living with dementia and their caretakers. This year, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education Week occurs from February 14 to 21. As part of this important observance, New Perspective offers a deeper understanding of these often misunderstood but deeply affecting disorders.
Key Takeaways
- Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but many others exist and are caused by different factors.
- Although there is no cure for dementia, various treatments, such as medications and therapies, can help ease the symptoms of dementia.
- Dementia does not only affect memory loss. It can also affect a person’s thinking and behavior.
Alzheimer’s Disease – The Most Common Type
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which occurs due to dead brain cells. Between 60 and 80 percent of all dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. As Alzheimer’s progresses, people often experience mood changes and confusion.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s include:
- Forgetting names
- Failing to recall recent events
- Depression or depressed mood
Creating a regular routine with your loved one is one of the best ways to alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Vascular Dementia – Second Most Common
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia. It’s caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain and is often related to a stroke or atherosclerotic disease, which hardens and narrows the arteries.
Depending on what causes an individual’s vascular dementia, symptoms will either appear slowly or quite suddenly. Early signs are confusion and disorientation. As it develops, more symptoms appear, such as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble completing tasks
- Vision problems
- Hallucinations
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body occurs in approximately 10 to 15 percent of all dementia diagnoses. It happens because of unusual protein clumps that build up in brain cells. These clumps, called Lewy bodies, disrupt how the brain works by disrupting chemical signaling. The result is memory loss and disorientation. People with Lewy body dementia also typically experience visual hallucinations.
People suffering from this form of dementia often have trouble falling asleep at night or they fall asleep unexpectedly during the day. Fainting and disorientation are also common, as are trembling hands and feelings of weakness.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia, also known as Pick’s disease, is a term used to describe many types of dementia that affect the front and side areas of the brain. These areas of the brain control language and behavior. It’s believed to occur in fewer than 1 in 30 dementia diagnoses.
People as young as 45 years old can be affected by frontotemporal dementia. Scientists have yet to pin down what causes it, but it has been found in certain genetic mutations. Frontotemporal dementia can occur from a mutation in one of these three genes:
- GRN
- MAPT
- C9ORF72
People with this kind of dementia experience loss of motivation, compulsive behavior, and speech difficulties.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease affects around 10 million people globally. It’s a brain condition that gradually damages the cells that produce the chemical dopamine, which is important for movement and coordination. This damage occurs in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra. While dementia is used as a term for more general cognitive decline, Parkinson’s is primarily a motor disorder.
Early symptoms of Parkinson’s typically include:
- Hand tremors even when your hand is at rest.
- Smaller than usual handwriting.
- Loss of smell.
- Sudden movements while in deep sleep.
- Stiffness in arms or legs when you try to move.
- Constipation.
- Others notice that your voice has suddenly gone softer.
- A serious or angry look on your face, even if you feel emotionally fine or even good.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Slouching or stooping when standing up.
- Irritability.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is technically not a form of dementia. However, it often gets classified as dementia because the symptoms are so similar. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a combination of two diseases and one syndrome that appear one after the other.
Wernicke’s disease is a brain disorder that results in brain bleeding due to a lack of vitamin B-1. Physical symptoms include double vision and loss of muscle coordination. Eventually, these symptoms decrease, and the symptoms of Korsakoff syndrome appear.
Korsakoff syndrome is a memory disorder that occurs as a complication of advanced Wernicke’s disease. A person’s ability to remember things and process information begins to decline. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is primarily caused by alcoholism, malnutrition, or chronic infections.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is one of the least common types of dementia, but it still presents itself in 1 in every 1 million people each year. Unfortunately, this type of dementia progresses very quickly, and life is often limited within a year of receiving a diagnosis.
The symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are similar to those of most other forms of dementia. Most people experience:
- Agitation
- Depression
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Twitching muscles
- Stiff muscles
Mixed Dementia
Mixed dementia is very common, and it refers to when a person presents more than one type of dementia. The most common combination in mixed dementia is vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Many people have mixed dementia, and they don’t know it.
Those with mixed dementia have difficulty speaking and walking as their condition worsens. Memory loss, disorientation, and mood changes are the first signs to appear.
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is a genetic condition that results in dementia due to a premature breakdown of the brain’s nerve cells. Two forms exist:
- Juvenile: This form is rarer. Symptoms occur during childhood or adolescence.
- Adult-onset: Symptoms often appear from ages 30 to 50.
Beyond dementia, symptoms of Huntington’s disease include trouble swallowing, jerking movements, and difficulty walking.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a condition where excess fluid builds up in a person’s brain ventricles. Brain ventricles are fluid-filled spaces that protect the brain and spinal cord, and they rely on the right amount of fluid to work correctly.
When too much fluid builds up, the brain experiences extra pressure. This increased pressure on the brain leads to symptoms of dementia. Normal pressure hydrocephalus can be caused by:
- Infection
- Brain tumors
- Former brain surgeries
- Bleeding
- Injury
Surgery can sometimes help alleviate or even cure the symptoms. It is encouraged to seek treatment as soon as your loved one experiences symptoms so that doctors can prevent additional brain damage from occurring.
How You Can Support Your Loved One With Dementia
If your loved one has dementia or is starting to show signs of one of the types of dementia listed above, there are ways that you can support them through their journey. These tips are meant not only to help your loved one but also to help you during this stressful time.
- Stick to a routine that includes plenty of time to complete tasks such as eating or bathing.
- Use to-do lists, reminders, and calendars.
- Engage in activities your loved one enjoys.
- Add a shower chair to their shower.
- Respect their personal space.
- Understand that communication back and forth may be more challenging as the disease progresses.
- Keep familiar objects and photos around their living space.
- Be mindful of their energy levels when engaging in activities.
- Install plenty of bright lighting.
Although it may be tough at times, remember to take a deep breath and recognize that your loved one doesn’t have dementia on purpose and they’re not trying to upset you. Be as gentle and loving as you can. If caregiving feels like too much, consider getting professional help for your loved one or moving them to a specialized memory-care home.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Dementia Alone
Dementia is overwhelming, frightening, and stressful to process, both for patients and those who love them. It’s incredibly difficult to watch someone you love struggle with memory loss and other basic functions. No matter what type of dementia your loved one has, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
The empathetic staff at New Perspective knows just what it’s like to help a loved one struggling with dementia. If you’re interested in finding a safe, welcoming community for your loved one with dementia, reach out to us today. We will be here to guide you and your loved one every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dementia
Q: What is dementia?
A: Dementia refers to a set of symptoms resulting from various diseases that cause abnormal brain changes. These symptoms lead to a decline in cognitive abilities, significantly impacting daily life, independence, behavior, emotions, and relationships.
Q: How many types of dementia are there?
A: There are ten common types of dementia:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Mixed dementia
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Q: Is Alzheimer’s disease the same as dementia?
A: Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia.