Dementia

Overview
How does the brain store information?
Information is stored in different parts of your memory. Information stored in recent memory
may include what you ate for breakfast this morning. Information stored in the short-term
memory may include the name of a person you met moments ago. Information stored in the
remote or long-term memory includes things that you stored in your memory years ago, such as
memories of childhood.

How does aging change the brain?

When you're in your 20s, you begin to lose brain cells a few at a time. Your body also starts to
make less of the chemicals your brain cells need to work. The older you are, the more these
changes can affect your memory.

Aging may affect memory by changing the way the brain stores information and by making it
harder to recall stored information.

Your short-term and remote memories aren't usually affected by aging. But your recent memory
may be affected. For example, you may forget names of people you've met today or where you
set your keys. These are normal changes.

What is dementia?
Dementia is a brain disorder that makes it hard for people to remember, learn and communicate.
These changes eventually make it hard for people who have dementia to care for themselves.
Dementia may also cause changes in mood and personality. Early on, lapses in memory and clear
thinking may bother the person who has dementia. Later, disruptive behavior and other problems
can create a burden for caregivers and other family members.

Dementia is caused by the damage of brain cells. A head injury, stroke, brain tumor or disease
(such as Alzheimer's disease) can damage brain cells and lead to dementia.

Symptoms
What are the symptoms of dementia?
The symptoms of dementia include:
 Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later.
People who have dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They
might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you've already
given them the answer. They won't even remember that they already asked the question.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People who have dementia might cook a meal but
forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.
Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the
wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own
street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.
Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn't have dementia might get distracted. But
people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before
going out in cold weather.
Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook,
but people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done
with them.
Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places. They
might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they can't find
these things later.
Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people who have dementia may have
fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in
personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become passive. They might not want
to go places or see other people

What about when I know a word but can't recall it?

This is usually just a glitch in your memory. You'll almost always remember the word with time.
This may become more common as you age. It can be very frustrating, but it's not usually
serious.

How can I tell if my memory problems are serious?

A memory problem is serious when it affects your daily living. If you sometimes forget names,
you're probably okay. But you may have a more serious problem if you have trouble
remembering how to do things you've done many times before, get to a place you've been to
often, or do things that require steps (such as following a recipe).

Another difference between normal memory problems and dementia is that normal memory loss
doesn't get much worse over time. Dementia gets much worse over several months to several
years.

It may be hard to figure out on your own if you have a serious problem. Talk to your family
doctor about any concerns you have. If your memory problems are caused by a certain medicine
you're taking, your doctor can prescribe another medicine that doesn't have this side effect. If
another condition is causing your memory loss (such as depression), your doctor can help you
treat the condition.

Memory problems that aren't part of normal aging

Forgetting things much more often than you used to
Forgetting how to do things you've done many times before
Trouble learning new things
Repeating phrases or stories in the same conversation
Trouble making choices or handling money
Not being able to keep track of what happens each day

Diagnosis & Tests

What should I do if I think I may have dementia?
Talk with your doctor. Your doctor can do tests to find out if your experiences are caused by
dementia. The sooner you know, the sooner you can talk to your doctor about treatment options.

What should I do if a family member is showing signs of

dementia?
If your family member is showing some of the signs of dementia, try to get him or her to go see a
doctor. You may want to go along and talk with the doctor before your relative sees him or her.
Then you can tell the doctor about the way your relative is acting without embarrassing your
relative.

Treatment
How is dementia treated?
Some causes of dementia can be treated. However, once brain cells have been destroyed, they
cannot be replaced. Treatment may slow or stop the loss of more brain cells. When the cause of
dementia can't be treated, the focus of care is on helping the person with his or her daily
activities and reducing upsetting symptoms. Some medicines can help people who have
dementia. Your family doctor will talk with you about treatment options.

Complications
Why do people who have dementia become agitated?
The agitation can have many causes. A sudden change in surroundings or frustrating situations
can cause people who have dementia to become agitated. For example, getting dressed or giving
the wrong answer to a question may cause frustration. Being challenged about the confusion or
inability to do things caused by the dementia may also make the person agitated. As a result, the
person may cry, become irritable, or try to hurt others in some way.

How can I deal with agitation?

One of the most important things you can do is avoid situations in which your loved one might
become frustrated. Try to make your loved one's tasks less difficult. For example, instead of
expecting him or her to get dressed alone, you can just have your loved one put on one piece of
the outfit (such as a jacket) on his or her own.

You can also try to limit the number of difficult situations your loved one must face. For
example, if taking a bath or shower causes problems, have him or her take one every other day
instead of every day. Also, you can schedule difficult activities for a time of day when your
loved one tends to be less agitated. It's helpful to give frequent reassurance and avoid
contradicting him or her.

What should I do if hallucinations are a problem?

If hallucinations are not making your loved one scared or anxious, you don't need to do anything.
It's better not to confront people who have dementia about their hallucinations. Arguing may just
upset your loved one.

However, if hallucinations are scary or upsetting to your loved one, you can try to distract the
person by involving him or her in a pleasant activity.

What if my loved one will not go to sleep at night?

Try one or more of the following if your loved one is having trouble sleeping:

Try to make the person more aware of what time of day it is. Place clocks where he or
she can see them.
Keep curtains or blinds open so that he or she can tell when it is daytime and when it is
nighttime.
Limit the amount of caffeine he or she consumes.
Try to help your loved one get some exercise every day.
Don't let him or her take too many naps during the day.
Make your loved one's bedroom peaceful. It is easier to sleep in a quiet room.
At night, provide a night light or leave a dim light on. Total darkness can add to
confusion.
 If your loved one has arthritis or another painful condition that interrupts his or her sleep,
ask your doctor if it is okay to give your loved one medicine for pain right before bed.

What if wandering becomes a problem?

Sometimes very simple things can help with this problem. It is all right for your loved one to
wander in a safe place, such as in a fenced yard. By providing a safe place, you may avoid
confrontation. If this doesn't work, remind your loved one not to go out a certain door by placing
a stop sign on it or putting a piece of furniture in front of it. A ribbon tied across a door can serve
as a similar reminder. Hiding the doorknob by placing a strip of cloth over it may also be helpful.

An alarm system will alert you that your loved one is trying to leave a certain area. Your alarm
system may just be a few empty cans tied to a string on the doorknob. You might have to place
special locks on the doors, but be aware that such locks might be dangerous if a house fire
occurs. Don't use this method if your loved one will be left home alone. Make sure your loved one
wears a medical bracelet with his or her name, address and medical conditions, in case he or she does
wander away from home.

What is dementia?
Dementia is a brain problem. People with dementia find it hard to remember, learn and
communicate. After a while, this makes it hard for them to take care of themselves.

Dementia may also change their mood and personality. At first, memory loss and inability to
think clearly may bother the person with dementia. Later, disruptive behavior and other problems
may start. The person with dementia may not be aware of those problems.

What causes dementia?

Dementia is caused by the loss of brain cells. A head injury, a stroke, a brain tumor or a problem
like Alzheimer's disease can damage brain cells. Some people have a family history of dementia.

What are some common signs of dementia?

Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for that person's family. Many of
the problems are due to loss of memory. Some common signs of dementia are listed below. Not
everyone with dementia has all of these signs.

Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later.
People with dementia often forget things but never remember them. They might ask you
the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you already answered that
question. They won't even remember that they already asked that question.
 Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia might cook a meal but forget
to serve it, and might even forget that they cooked it.
Problems with language. People with dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong
words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
Time and place disorientation. People with dementia may get lost on their own street, or
forget how they got there and how to get back home.
Poor judgment. Even a well person might get distracted and forget to watch a child for a
little while. People with dementia, however, might forget all about the child and just
leave the house for the day.
Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook;
people with dementia can forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with
them.
Misplacing things. People with dementia may put things in the wrong places. They might
put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they wouldn't be able to
find those things later.
Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people with dementia could have fast
mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
Personality changes. People with dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They
might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
Loss of initiative. People with dementia may become passive. They might not want to go
places or see other people.

What if I have any of these signs of dementia?

Talk with your doctor. Your doctor can do tests to find out if your signs are caused by dementia.
The sooner you know, the sooner you can get treated.

What if a family member has signs of dementia?

If your family member has some of the signs of dementia, try to get him or her to go see a
doctor. You may want to go along and talk with the doctor first before your relative sees the
doctor. That way, you can tell the doctor about the way your relative is acting without
embarrassing your family member.

How can I learn more?

Dementia is the loss of mental functions such as thinking, memory, and reasoning that is severe
enough to interfere with a person's daily functioning. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a
group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. Symptoms can also include
changes in personality, mood, and behavior. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and
cured because the cause is treatable. Examples of this include dementia caused by substance
abuse (illicit drugs and alcohol), combinations of prescription medications, and hormone or
vitamin imbalances. In some cases, although the person may appear to have dementia, a severe
depression can be causing the symptoms. This is known as pseudo-dementia (false dementia) and
is highly treatable. In most cases, however, true dementia cannot be cured.

Dementia develops when the parts of the brain that are involved with learning, memory,
decision-making, and language are affected by one or more of a variety of infections or diseases.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, but there are as many as 50 other
known causes. Most of these causes are very rare.

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Because some causes of dementia can be cured or partially treated, it is very important that your
doctor is thorough when making the diagnosis, so as not to miss potentially treatable conditions.
The frequency of "treatable" causes of dementia is believed to be about 20%.

What Causes Dementia?

There are several situations that could cause dementia:

Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the brain such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Diseases that affect blood vessels, such as stroke, which can cause a disorder known as multi-
infarct dementia.
Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use.
Nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.
Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-
Jakob disease.
Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can result from
developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors.
Head injury -- either a single severe head injury or chronic smaller injuries that often occur from
boxing.
Illnesses other than in the brain, such as kidney, liver, and lung diseases, can all lead to
dementia.
Alzheimer's disease causes 50% to 60% of all dementias. But researchers have found that two
nervous diseases, which were originally incorrectly diagnosed as Alzheimer's, are emerging as
major causes of dementia: Lewy body disease and Pick's disease.

How Common Is Dementia?

Dementia caused by nervous system disease, especially Alzheimer's disease, is increasing in

frequency more than most other types of dementia. Some researchers suspect that as many as
half of all people over 80 years old develop Alzheimer's disease. Also, the increased incidence of
AIDS dementia complex, which results from HIV infection, helps account for the increased
dementia in recent history, although with the invention of newer and better drugs to treat HIV,
the occurrence of AIDS-associated dementia is declining.

Alzheimer's disease is a condition in which nerve cells in the brain die, making it difficult for the
brain's signals to be transmitted properly. Alzheimers symptoms may be hard to distinguish
early on. A person with Alzheimer's disease has problems with memory, judgment, and thinking,
which makes it hard for the person to work or take part in day-to-day life. The death of the nerve
cells occurs gradually over a period of years.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

Most patients' symptoms of Alzheimer's disease progress slowly over a number of years.
Symptoms may not be noticed early on. Sometimes, it is only when family members look back
that they realize when the changes started to occur.

Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:

Impaired memory and thinking. The person has difficulty remembering things or learning new
information. In the later stages of the disease, long-term memory loss occurs, which means that
the person can't remember personal information, such as his or her place of birth or occupation,
or names of close family members.
Disorientation and confusion. People with Alzheimer's disease may get lost when out on their
own and may not be able to remember where they are or how they got there. They may not
recognize previously familiar places and situations. They also may not recognize familiar faces or
know what time of the day it is, or even what year it is.
Misplacing things. The person forgets where he or she put things used every day, such as
glasses, a hearing aid, keys, etc. The person may also put things in strange places, such as
leaving his or her glasses in the refrigerator.
Abstract thinking. People with Alzheimer's disease may find certain tasks -- such as balancing a
checkbook -- more difficult than usual. For example, they might forget what the numbers mean
and what needs to be done with them.
Trouble performing familiar tasks. The person begins to have difficulty performing daily tasks,
such as eating, dressing, and grooming. Planning for normal day-to-day tasks is also impaired.
 Changes in personality and behavior. The person becomes unusually angry, irritable, restless, or
quiet. At times, people with Alzheimer's disease can become confused, paranoid, or fearful.
Poor or decreased judgment. People with Alzheimer's disease may leave the house on a cold
day without a coat or shoes or could go to the store wearing pajamas.
Inability to follow directions. The person has difficulty understanding simple commands or
directions. The person may get lost easily and begin to wander.
Problems with language and communication. The person can't recall words, name objects
(even ones that are very familiar -- like a pen), or understand the meaning of common words.
Impaired visual and spatial skills. The person loses spatial abilities (the ability to judge shapes
and sizes and the relationship of objects in space) and can't arrange items in a certain order or
recognize shapes.
Loss of motivation or initiative. The person may become very passive and require prompting to
become involved and interact with others.
Loss of normal sleep patterns. The person may sleep during the day and be wide-awake at
night.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to

interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most
common type of dementia.
About Dementia Diagnosis
Symptoms Treatments
Causes Risk & Prevention
About dementia
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Find out what how typical age-related memory loss compares to early signs of Alzheimer's and other
dementias.
Learn the signs.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimers
Doctor's Appointment Checklist

Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a

wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other
thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday
activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular
dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia
type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of
dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and
vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia,"

which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental
decline is a normal part of aging.
Learn more: Common Types of Dementia, What is Alzheimer's?

Memory loss and

other symptoms of
dementia Many people have memory loss
issues this does not mean they
While symptoms of dementia have Alzheimer's or another
dementia
can vary greatly, at least two of
the following core mental There are many different causes of
functions must be significantly memory problems. If you or a loved
impaired to be considered one is experiencing troubling
dementia: symptoms, visit a doctor to learn the
reason. Some causes of dementia-like
Memory symptoms can be reversed.
Communication and
language Learn more: Visiting Your Doctor
Ability to focus and pay
attention
Reasoning and judgment
Visual perception

People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping
track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals,
remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and
gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties
or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to
determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition.
And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get
the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to
volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the
future.

Learn more: 10 Warning Signs, 7 Stages of Alzheimer's

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Causes
Dementia is caused by damage to brain
cells. This damage interferes with the ability
of brain cells to communicate with each
other. When brain cells cannot communicate
normally, thinking, behavior and feelings
can be affected.

The brain has many distinct regions, each of

which is responsible for different functions Take our interactive Brain Tour.
(for example, memory, judgment and
movement). When cells in a particular
region are damaged, that region cannot carry
out its functions normally.

Different types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell
damage in particular regions of the brain. For example, in Alzheimer's disease,
high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for
brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. The brain
region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the
brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. That's
why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.

While most changes in the brain that cause dementia are permanent and worsen
over time, thinking and memory problems caused by the following conditions
may improve when the condition is treated or addressed:

Depression
Medication side effects
Excess use of alcohol
Thyroid problems
Vitamin deficiencies

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Diagnosis of dementia
There is no one test to determine if someone
has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's
and other types of dementia based on a careful
medical history, a physical examination,
laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes
in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior
associated with each type. Doctors can
determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's
harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain
changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may
diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs it may be necessary
to see a specialist such as a neurologist or gero-psychologist.

Learn more: Memory Tests

Dementia help and support are available

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you are not
alone. The Alzheimer's Association is one of the most trusted resources
for information, education, referral and support.
Call our 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900
Visit our online Alzheimers and Dementia Caregiver Center
Locate a support group in your community
Visit our Virtual Library

Dementia treatment and care

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive
dementias, including Alzheimer's disease, there is no cure and no treatment that
slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may
temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat
Alzheimer's are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms
of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some
symptoms of dementia.

Ultimately, the path to effective new treatments for dementia is through

increased research funding and increased participation in clinical studies. Right
now, at least 50,000 volunteers are urgently needed to participate in more than
100 actively enrolling clinical studies and trials about Alzheimer's and related
dementias.

Learn more: Medications for Memory Loss, Alternative Treatments for

Alzheimer's

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Dementia risk and prevention

Some risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed.
But researchers continue to explore the impact of other risk factors on brain
health and prevention of dementia. Some of the most active areas of research in
risk reduction and prevention include cardiovascular factors, physical fitness,
and diet.

Cardiovascular risk factors: Your brain is nourished by one of your body's

richest networks of blood vessels. Anything that damages blood vessels
anywhere in your body can damage blood vessels in your brain, depriving
brain cells of vital food and oxygen. Blood vessel changes in the brain are
linked to vascular dementia. They often are present along with changes caused
by other types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia with
Lewy bodies. These changes may interact to cause faster decline or make
impairments more severe. You can help protect your brain with some of the
same strategies that protect your heart don't smoke; take steps to keep your
blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within recommended limits; and
maintain a healthy weight.

Physical exercise: Regular physical exercise may help lower the risk of some
types of dementia. Evidence suggests exercise may directly benefit brain cells
by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Diet: What you eat may have its greatest impact on brain health through its
effect on heart health. The best current evidence suggests that heart-healthy
eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, also may help protect the brain.
A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole
grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other
healthy fats.

Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Dementia isn't a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting
thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.

Many causes of dementia symptoms exist. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of a
progressive dementia.

Memory loss generally occurs in dementia. However, memory loss alone doesn't mean you have
dementia. Dementia indicates problems with at least two brain functions, such as memory loss
and impaired judgment or language, and the inability to perform some daily activities such as
paying bills or becoming lost driving.

Dementia can make you confused and unable to remember people and names. You also may
experience changes in personality and social behavior. However, some causes of dementia are
treatable and even reversible.

Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Dementia involves damage of nerve cells in the brain, which may occur in several areas of the
brain. Dementia may affect people differently, depending on the area of the brain affected.

Dementias can be classified in a variety of ways and are often grouped by what they have in
common, such as what part of the brain is affected, or whether they worsen over time
(progressive dementias).

Some dementias, such as those caused by a reaction to medications or an infection, are reversible
with treatment.

Progressive dementias

Types of dementias that worsen over time include:

 Alzheimer's disease. In people age 65 and older, Alzheimer's disease is the most
common cause of dementia. People generally may develop symptoms after age 60, but
some people may have early-onset forms of the disease, often as the result of a defective
gene.

Although in most cases the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease isn't known, plaques and
tangles are often found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Plaques are clumps of a
protein called beta-amyloid, and tangles are fibrous tangles made up of tau protein.

Certain genetic factors also may make it more likely that people will develop
Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease usually progresses slowly over seven to 10 years. Your cognitive
abilities slowly decline. Eventually, the affected areas of your brain don't work properly,
including parts of your brain that control memory, language, judgment and spatial
abilities.

Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia affects approximately 10 to 22 percent of

people with dementia, making it one of the most common types of dementia. Lewy body
dementia becomes more common with age.

Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of protein that have been found in the brains of people
with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Lewy body dementia symptoms are similar to symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Its
unique features include fluctuations between confusion and clear thinking (lucidity),
visual hallucinations, and tremor and rigidity (parkinsonism).

People with Lewy body dementia often have a condition called rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep behavior disorder that involves acting out dreams.

Vascular dementia. Vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia,
occurs as a result of brain damage due to reduced or blocked blood flow in blood vessels
leading to your brain.

Blood vessel problems may be caused by stroke, infection of a heart valve (endocarditis)
or other blood vessel (vascular) conditions.

Symptoms usually start suddenly and often occur in people with high blood pressure or
people who have had strokes or heart attacks in the past.

Several different types of vascular dementia exist, and the types have different causes and
symptoms. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias also may be present at the same time
as this dementia.
 Frontotemporal dementia. This less common cause of dementia tends to occur at a
younger age than does Alzheimer's disease, generally between the ages of 40 and 65.

This is a group of diseases characterized by the breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells

in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, the areas generally associated with
personality, behavior and language.

Signs and symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can include inappropriate behaviors,

language problems, difficulty with thinking and concentration, and movement problems.

As with other dementias, the cause isn't known, although in some cases this dementia is
related to certain genetic mutations.

Other disorders linked to dementia

Huntington's disease. This inherited disease causes certain nerve cells in your brain and
spinal cord to waste away.

Signs and symptoms usually appear during your 30s or 40s. People may experience
personality changes, such as irritability or anxiety. The condition causes a severe decline
in thinking (cognitive) skills over time. Huntington's disease also causes weakness and
difficulty with walking and movement.

Traumatic brain injury. This condition is caused by repetitive head trauma, such as
experienced by boxers, football players or soldiers.

Depending on the part of the brain injured, this condition can cause dementia signs and
symptoms such as uncoordinated movement and impaired speech, as well as slow
movement, tremors and rigidity (parkinsonism). Symptoms may not appear until many
years after the actual trauma.

A person who has experienced a single traumatic head injury could develop a similar
condition called post-traumatic dementia, which may cause symptoms such as long-term
memory problems.

HIV-associated dementia. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes
AIDS, destroys brain matter and may cause memory problems, withdrawal from social
situations, concentration problems or movement problems.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This rare brain disorder usually occurs in people without risk
factors. This condition may be due to an abnormal form of a protein. Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease sometimes may be inherited or caused by exposure to diseased brain or nervous
system tissue.

Signs and symptoms of this fatal condition usually appear around age 60 and initially
include problems with coordination, memory, thinking and vision. Symptoms worsen
over time and may include the inability to move or talk, blindness, or infections.
 Secondary dementias. People with movement disorders and other conditions may develop
dementia. For example, many people with Parkinson's disease eventually develop dementia
symptoms (Parkinson's disease dementia).

The relationship between these disorders and dementia isn't completely understood.

Dementia causes that can be reversed

Some causes of dementia or dementia-like symptoms can be reversed. Your doctor may identify
and treat these causes:

Infections and immune disorders. Dementia can result from fever or other side effects
of your body's attempt to fight off an infection. People may develop dementia or thinking
difficulties if they have brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis, untreated
syphilis, Lyme disease, or conditions that cause a completely compromised immune
system, such as leukemia.

Conditions such as multiple sclerosis that arise from the body's immune system attacking
nerve cells also can cause dementia.

Metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities. People with thyroid problems, too little
sugar in the bloodstream (hypoglycemia), too low or too high amounts of sodium or calcium, or
an impaired ability to absorb vitamin B-12 may develop dementia or other personality changes.
Nutritional deficiencies. Dementia symptoms can occur as a result of not drinking enough
liquids (dehydration); not having enough thiamine (vitamin B-1), a condition common in people
with chronic alcoholism; and not having enough vitamins B-6 and B-12 in your diet.
Reactions to medications. Dementia may occur as a reaction to a single medication or because
of an interaction of several medications.
Subdural hematomas. Subdural hematomas are caused by bleeding between the surface of the
brain and the covering over the brain. They can cause symptoms similar to dementia.
Poisoning. Dementia symptoms can occur as a result of exposure to heavy metals, such
as lead, and other poisons, such as pesticides.

Dementia symptoms also may occur in some people who have abused alcohol or
recreational drugs. Symptoms may disappear after treatment, but in some cases
symptoms may still be present after treatment.

Brain tumors. Dementia rarely can result from damage caused by a brain tumor.
Anoxia. This condition, also called hypoxia, occurs when organ tissues aren't getting
enough oxygen. Anoxia may occur due to severe asthma, heart attack, carbon monoxide
poisoning or other causes.

If you've experienced a severe lack of oxygen, recovery may take longer. Symptoms,
such as memory problems or confusion, may occur during recovery.
 Heart and lung problems. Your brain can't survive without oxygen. Dementia symptoms may
occur in people with chronic lung problems or a heart condition that deprives the brain of the
oxygen it needs.
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Sometimes people have normal-pressure hydrocephalus, a
condition caused by enlarged ventricles in the brain. This condition can cause walking problems,
urinary difficulty and memory loss. Shunt surgery, which delivers cerebrospinal fluid from the
head to the abdomen or heart, may help these symptoms.