The 4 most common forms of dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for more than 50 diseases in which the brain can no longer process information properly. Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia are the four most common types of dementia. In the article below, we will tell you more about these types.
Alzheimer's Disease
A staggering 70% of all people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. In Alzheimer's disease, brain cells are damaged due to the buildup of certain proteins. Symptoms develop gradually and may not be clearly present in the early stages.
Alzheimer's primarily affects the memory area. Remembering new information becomes increasingly difficult. There is also confusion about time: What day, month, or year is it? And is it still night or time to get up?
As the disease progresses, the person with dementia experiences difficulty with daily activities such as maintaining the household and managing finances. Taking care of oneself (dressing, preparing food, taking medication on time and correctly) also becomes increasingly challenging.
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Vascular Dementia
Your brain needs oxygen, which is delivered via the blood. Vascular dementia can occur when there is insufficient blood flow to the brain, for example, due to a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
People with vascular dementia may suddenly deteriorate due to new TIAs or strokes. However, they can remain stable for a long time if there are no new blood flow disruptions.
Slowness in thinking, speaking, and acting are symptoms typically experienced first by people with vascular dementia. Other symptoms depend largely on the affected brain area.
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Lewy Body Dementia
In Lewy body dementia (LBD), protein deposits called Lewy bodies develop deep in the brainstem, causing brain cells to malfunction and die. These Lewy bodies spread from the brainstem to other parts of the brain over time.
This type of dementia is characterized by significant fluctuations in cognitive decline.
A person with dementia may have many symptoms one day and few the next. Initial symptoms often include attention and concentration problems and reduced processing speed.
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Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), formerly known as Pick's disease, often occurs at a younger age. Most diagnoses are made between the ages of 40 and 60. Genetics play a more significant role here than in other forms of dementia, affecting 25-40% of cases.
Damage and death of brain cells in the frontal lobe (responsible for behavior) and temporal lobe (language area) lead to symptoms such as socially inappropriate behavior, impulsive decisions, or difficulty with speech, reading, and writing. Memory problems typically emerge in later stages.
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Mixed Forms
Different types of dementia can coexist, known as mixed dementia. This is almost always in combination with Alzheimer's disease.