Dementia is caused by many different diseases or injuries that directly and indirectly damage the brain. Alzheimer disease is the most common form and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging.
Many people affected by dementia are concerned that they may inherit or pass on dementia. The majority of dementia is not inherited by children and grandchildren. In rarer types of dementia there may be a strong genetic link, but these are only a tiny proportion of overall cases of dementia.
Studies of family history say that if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease—the most common form of dementia in older adults—your risk increases by about 30%. This is a relative risk increase, meaning a 30% hike in your existing risk.
A large study published last summer in Neurology reported a link between consuming ultra-processed foods—such as soft drinks, potato chips and other salty snacks, deep-fried or packaged meats, bottled condiments, prepackaged sweets and breads, and flavored breakfast cereals—and a higher risk for dementia and ...
The current evidence indicates that while chronic stress may play a role in the development or progression of dementia, it does not necessarily cause dementia. Hopefully, further research can begin to uncover what role stress plays in a person's risk of developing dementia.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
These changes make it difficult for people who have dementia to perform basic daily activities. Dementia is classified into two groups, reversible (pseudo-dementia) and irreversible (non pseudo-dementia). Irreversible dementia causes changes in behavior and personality.
Excessive alcohol consumption over a lengthy time period can lead to brain damage, and may increase your risk of developing dementia. However, drinking alcohol in moderation has not been conclusively linked to an increased dementia risk, nor has it been shown to offer significant protection against developing dementia.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease causes a type of dementia that gets worse unusually fast. More common causes of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, typically progress more slowly.
Anxiety has been linked to shortened telomeres, accelerating aging. No matter the specific cause, anxiety is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, especially in older ages.
For most people with Alzheimer's — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it's considered early-onset Alzheimer's, which can begin as early as a person's 30s, although this is rare.
Parental death alone was not associated with the risk of dementia in old age, but became a factor if the child also experienced neglect or abuse. In men, dementia was tied to physical abuse; in women, it was tied to psychological neglect or psychological abuse.
What are the foods that fight memory loss? Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.
There have also been other suggestions as to how coffee can help against dementia. Research has shown that caffeinated coffee increases production of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, which helps the brain in several ways.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals found in bananas help preserve nerve tissue against neurotoxins, which deteriorate nervous tissue when exposed to its substance. This may also help in preventing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Is there a genetic test for dementia? Yes. It is possible to be tested for single-gene changes and some of the risk variants linked to dementia. However, genetic testing for dementia is not always appropriate.
Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
This test is usually conducted by your doctor or specialist in their office and takes around 5 minutes to complete. The MMSE is the most common test for the screening of dementia. It assesses skills such as reading, writing, orientation and short-term memory.
Dementia vs. Alzheimer's Disease: What is the Difference? Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.