What are the different types of dementia?

Below we cover some of the common types of the diseases that lead to dementia and what some of those symptoms are, although they may differ by patient as well as the stage of the disease. These summaries are an overview of the different common types of dementia, we have articles which go into more detail about each type of disease, including symptoms and ideas for managing behaviours. Many of our articles point to the need to improve or maintain a balanced diet, access to exercise, including cardio-vascular activities and managing a good sleep regime, with at least 8 hours sleep a night. For specific diseases there may be medicines available which can regulate symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. For others there may be therapies available that aid with communication throughout the disease.

Alzheimers 

One of the more common types of dementia over 60% of dementia diagnoses are for this disease. The disease starts slowly but as it progresses, symptoms gradually worsens over time. Medical treatments are available to lesson symptoms, including medications which can improve the ability of the brain to send chemical messages between different parts of the brain and body. The presence of protein deposits in the brain, much like in Lewy Body, damages areas of the brain, leading to nerve endings dying and brain tissue wastage. The disease is characterised by memory loss, where the patient is incapable of remembering recent events, conversations, where they left their keys or wallet, remembering birthdays, special occasions or even appointments. These symptoms may progress to forgetting what day it is or having an understanding as to what time it is, even.

Lewy Body 

This is thought to be the second most common form of dementia. The name derives from the protein deposits which are found in the brain (known as Lewy Bodies) which are found in the areas of the brain which regulate motor control and memory. This form of dementia can involve some extreme symptoms and one of the first, is the occurence of visual hallucinations. These are not always bad, but the inability to experience reality due to the way in which the brain interprets what is happening, can be disturbing for both the patient and carer. Another symptom associated with this form of dementia is the lack of control over motor functions. These protein deposits can also be found in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer sufferers but the impact of Lewy Body dementia is an increased cognitive impairment alongside other symptoms such as shuffling, reduced facial expressions. Falls are common as patients lose the ability to maintain their balance. More details about Lewy Body dementia here and another article which covers hallucinations or delusions here, which can provide more information as to how to deal with these disturbing behaviours. 

Parkinsons

Although this is not a dementia disease, it does involve damage to certain areas of the brain and the evidence of lewy body deposits can be found in brain scans. Sadly sufferers of Parkinsons can go on to develop dementia, due to the damage to the brain.
 

Vascular dementia

This particular type of dementia can develop following a stroke, as it is caused by a reduced blood flow to the brain. The term refers to damage to the brain which deals with judgement, reasoning and understanding. The onset of symptoms can be quite sudden and significant as it usually follows a stroke. If the underlying reason for this form of dementia is identified, then treatment of that symptom, such as high blood pressure for example, might lead to a reduction in the severity of dementia symptoms, although the disease itself cannot be cured. 

Picks disease

This is one of the more rare diseases, which affects patients is late middle age. It impacts the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for managing emotions, personality and behaviour. Personality tends to be impacted before memories in patients, so this is one of the warning symptoms of the disease. This is a disease that is known to progress quite quickly, at least in relation to alzheimers for example.

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease

Is also known to be related to BSE, which was known as mad cow’s disease. The disease impacts the nerve cells within the brain and can be responsible for patient’s experiencing seizures, and other mental and physical impairments. This is one of the forms of dementia that can develop quite quickly over time. The disease starts to affect the person’s nervous system, following which their personality and emotional behaviours can be impacted also.

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