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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dementia isn't a specific disease. Instead, it describes a group of symptoms affecting intellectual and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. It's caused by conditions or changes in the brain. Different types of dementia exist, depending on the cause. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type.

Memory loss generally occurs in dementia, but memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia. Dementia indicates problems with at least two brain functions, such as memory loss along with impaired judgment or language. Dementia can make you confused and unable to remember people and names. You may also experience changes in personality and social behavior. However, some causes of dementia are treatable and even reversible.

Symptoms
References
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  3. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1318919213. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.
  4. National Institute on Aging. Frontotemporal dementia: Growing interest in a rare dementia. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/FTDreprint.htm. Accessed Jan. 11, 2009.
  5. Ersek M, et al. Tube feeding decisions for people with advanced dementia. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging. http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pef/tube_feeding.php. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  6. Dementia Guidelines for Early Detection, Diagnosis and Management of Dementia. New York, N.Y.: The American Geriatrics Society. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/products/positionpapers/aan_dementiaPF.shtml. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  7. Farlow M. Moderate to severe Alzheimer disease — definition and clinical relevance. Neurology. 2005;65(suppl):S1.
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  10. Fuhrer R, et al. Exploring sex differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and dementia incidence: Prospective results from the PAQUID study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 2003;51:1055.
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  14. Biessels GJ, et al. Risk of dementia in diabetes mellitus: A systemic review. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:64.
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  18. Hogan DB, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 5. Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:1019.
  19. Dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_dementia.asp. Accessed Feb. 8, 2009.
  20. Steps to diagnosis. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_steps_to_diagnosis.asp#physexam. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  21. Haan MN, et al. Homocysteine, B vitamins, and the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment: Results from the Sacramento area Latino study on aging. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:511. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/85/2/511. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  22. Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp#Coenzyme_Q10. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.

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April 17, 2009

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