As we age, it’s normal to lose some neurons in the brain. People living with dementia, however, experience far greater loss.
Many neurons stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, and eventually die. At first, symptoms can be mild, but they get worse over time.
Types of dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Vascular Dementia
What is happening in the brain?
Alzheimer’s disease: Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain.
Frontotemporal dementia: Abnormal amounts or forms of tau and TDP-43 proteins accumulate inside neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes.
Lewy body dementia: Abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein, called “Lewy bodies,” affect the brain’s chemical messengers.
Vascular dementia: Conditions, such as blood clots, disrupt blood flow in the brain.
Note that these changes are just one piece of a complex puzzle that scientists are studying to understand the underlying causes of these forms of dementia and others.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:
Mild- Wandering and getting lost, Repeating questions;
Moderate- Problems recognizing friends and family, Impulsive behavior;
Severe- Cannot communicate
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia:
Behavioral and Emotional
Difficulty planning and organizing
Impulsive behaviors
Emotional flatness or excessive emotions
Movement Problems
Shaky hands
Problems with balance and walking
Language Problems
Difficulty making or understanding speech
There are several types of frontotemporal disorders, and symptoms can vary by type.
Symptoms of Lewy body dementia:
Cognitive Decline
Inability to concentrate, pay attention, or stay alert
Disorganized or illogical ideas
Movement Problems
Muscle rigidity
Loss of coordination
Reduced facial expression
Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Visual Hallucinations
Symptoms of vascular dementia
Forgetting current or past events
Misplacing items
Trouble following instructions or learning new information
Hallucination or delusions
Poor judgment
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Source: National Institute of Aging
