What Is Dementia?

This page has information on:

• Definition and Overview

• Symptoms of Dementia

• Treatment and Progression of Dementia

Definition and Overview

Dementia is a condition characterised by a progressive decline of mental abilities accompanied by changes in personality and behaviour. There is commonly a loss of memory and skills that are needed to carry out everyday activities.

It is a significant cause of illness within the UK population. An estimated 5% of those over the age of 65 have dementia, rising to 20% over the age of 80. (For a summary of facts and figures relating to dementia, click here.)

The term dementia includes diagnoses of:

• Alzheimer’s disease
  The most common type of dementia affecting 50-60% of those diagnosed with a dementia.
  
  
• Vascular dementia
  • Multi-infarct dementia
  • Subcortical vascular dementia (Binswanger’s disease)
  • Acute onset vascular dementia
    
    
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
  
  
• Pick’s disease and frontal lobe dementia
  (also known as fronto-temporal dementia)
  
  
• Dementia relating to other illnesses:
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease (HD)
• Down’s syndrome
• HIV related dementia
  
  
• Transmissible Dementias
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease
  • Kuru
    
    
• Potentially treatable conditions
  • Chronic sub-dural haematoma
  • Cerebral tumour
  • Normal pressure hydrocephalus
  • Vitamin deficiency
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Infections
  • Anoxic disorders
  • Polypharmacy
  • Depression

Excellent explanations of most of these causes of dementia can be found at the Alzheimer’s Society web site (click on the button labelled 'information, advice and fact sheets') or direct from the Alzheimer’s Society (see Organisations for their address and telephone number).

Symptoms of Dementia

If you think that a friend or relative is becoming confused and isn’t quite themselves, it may help to look at this list of common symptoms of the early stages of dementia.

These can include the friend or relative being:

• more forgetful of recent events
• more likely to repeat themselves in conversation
• less concerned with activities or other people
• less able to grasp new ideas
• less able to adapt to change
• more anxious about having to make decisions
• more irritable or upset if they can’t manage a task
• more inclined to lose things or get lost
• changed in behaviour
• changed in personality

These symptoms can be confused with other conditions such as depression, stress or a reaction to bereavement. However, if you are at all concerned, please make an appointment to go to see a GP with your friend or relative.

It is important that help is sought early on as some conditions may be treatable. For those who receive a diagnosis of dementia, the sooner that the person with dementia and those who care for them get help, the easier it will be to prepare for the future.

Further information is available on the ‘Where to get help’ page.

Treatment and Progression of Dementia

The treatment and progression of dementia varies from person to person and will depend on the individual and their circumstances. What we do know is that early diagnosis helps the patient understand what is happening and that good information enables both patient and carer to make informed choices. Several strategies exist, including the use of specific drugs, which may alter the rate at which the disease progresses. All patients need the opportunity to try these therapies.

Drugs currently licensed for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease in the UK are Aricept (Donepezil), Exelon (Rivastigmine), Reminyl (Galantamine) and Ebixa (Memantine). Helpful fact sheets about these drugs are available on the Alzheimer’s Society web site or direct from the Alzheimer’s Society (see Organisations for their address and telephone number).

For more information on the future it is advisable to talk to the professionals involved in an individual's care who are familiar with their particular circumstances.

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