Dementia encompasses a spectrum of cognitive impairments that progressively affect memory, reasoning, behaviour, and the ability to perform daily activities. Dementia targets cognitive functions, gradually impacting a person’s independence and quality of life.

Dementia presents with diverse manifestations and varying degrees of severity among individuals. While the underlying causes of dementia can be complex and diverse, timely recognition and intervention are pivotal. Early diagnosis not only facilitates prompt initiation of treatment but also allows for timely planning and support for patients and their families navigating the challenges posed by this condition.

If you or someone you know is showing signs or symptoms suggestive of dementia, we encourage seeking medical advice promptly. Early intervention can significantly influence management strategies, potentially slowing disease progression and improving overall outcomes.

1. Alzheimer’s Disease:
The most common cause of dementia, characterised by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to nerve cell damage and death.

• Genetic factors, such as mutations in the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes, increase the risk.
• Environmental and lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and cardiovascular health, also play roles.

2. Vascular Dementia:

• Results from conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients.
• Often caused by strokes, small vessel disease, or other conditions affecting blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Symptoms can appear suddenly following a stroke or gradually as a result of chronic damage over time.

3. Lewy Body Dementia:

• Associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein, known as Lewy bodies, in the brain.
• Symptoms overlap with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, including hallucinations, movement disorders, and cognitive decline.
• The exact cause is unknown, but it involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly other factors.

4. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD):

• Involves progressive damage to the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain.
• Often linked to genetic mutations in specific genes, such as MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72.
• Unlike Alzheimer’s, FTD typically affects younger individuals and leads to changes in personality, behaviour, and language before memory is significantly affected.

5. Mixed Dementia:

• Occurs when a person has multiple types of dementia simultaneously, often Alzheimer’s combined with vascular dementia or another form.
• The combination of pathological processes can complicate the diagnosis and exacerbate symptoms.

6. Other Conditions:

• Parkinson’s Disease: Many people with Parkinson’s develop dementia in later stages, linked to Lewy bodies and changes in brain chemistry.
  
• Huntington’s Disease: A genetic disorder causing progressive brain degeneration, leading to cognitive decline.
  
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Repeated head injuries can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of dementia.
  
• Infections and Immune Disorders: Conditions like HIV, syphilis, and autoimmune diseases can cause dementia.
  
• Metabolic and Endocrine Abnormalities: Conditions such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies (B12, folate), and liver/kidney diseases can contribute to cognitive impairment.
  
• Toxins and Substance Abuse: Long-term exposure to heavy metals, chemicals, and excessive alcohol or drug use can damage the brain.
  

Dementia manifests through a wide range of symptoms that primarily affect cognitive abilities and, in advanced stages, overall functioning and behaviour. The symptoms can vary depending on the type of dementia and the areas of the brain affected. Here are some common symptoms associated with dementia:

1. Memory Loss: One of the hallmark symptoms of dementia is difficulty remembering recent events, appointments, or names of people, despite efforts to recall them. Short-term memory loss is often one of the earliest signs.

2. Difficulty with Language: People with dementia may struggle to find the right words or may have trouble following and participating in conversations. They may also repeat themselves frequently.

3. Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making: Dementia can affect a person’s ability to make sound decisions or judgments, leading to poor choices in finances, personal hygiene, or social situations.

4. Impaired Visual Perception: Some individuals with dementia may have difficulty interpreting visual information, such as spatial relationships or recognizing objects and faces.

5. Disorientation and Confusion: People with dementia may become disoriented about time, place, or person. They may get lost in familiar places or forget where they are and how they got there.

6. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks: Routine tasks that were once familiar and easy may become challenging. This could include tasks such as cooking, managing finances, or driving.

7. Changes in Mood and Personality: Dementia can lead to changes in mood, such as increased irritability, anxiety, or depression. Personality changes may also occur, with individuals becoming more withdrawn, apathetic, or exhibiting socially inappropriate behaviours.

8. Loss of Initiative: A common symptom of dementia is a loss of initiative or motivation to engage in activities that were once enjoyed. This can lead to withdrawal from social activities or hobbies.

9. Behavioural Symptoms: In some types of dementia, behavioural symptoms like agitation, aggression, or wandering may occur, especially in later stages of the disease.

These symptoms can vary in severity and progression depending on the type of dementia and the individual.