Dementia Definition: Cognitive Decline And Memory Loss

Dementia is an umbrella term for a cluster of cognitive conditions that impact cognitive function, memory, and brain health. Dementia often impacts older adults but may occur in younger adults, as well. To understand this condition, it may be helpful to explore its official definition and ways to find support if you or a loved one is living with a form of dementia. 

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Dementia symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, and forgetfulness

Dementia relates to a wide variety of cognitive functions that might also depend on the type and stage of the condition. A look into the specific cognitive functions that dementia usually impairs should give one a good picture of how it would affect people.

Cognitive functions and memory impairment

Dementia affects various cognitive functions including memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. These impairments can disrupt daily life and activities, making it essential to understand the underlying cognitive challenges associated with the condition.

Dementia definition: Is dementia a brain disease?

Contrary to what some people may believe, dementia is not a specific illness.

Types of dementia

Dementia is often associated with aging, as it can be more common in older people, but adults of any age can develop dementia for various reasons. Dementia may be conflated with Alzheimer’s disease, which is possibly the most well-known form. Still, not all dementia patients have Alzheimer’s disease, as there are many different forms of dementia. Below are a few of these conditions that someone might be diagnosed with. 

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, with estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that between 60% and 80% of dementia patients are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. A 100% certain Alzheimer’s diagnosis cannot be made until after a patient has died and their brain has been autopsied. 

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by specific changes in brain cells that can occur as a person grows older. These changes include an abnormal buildup of specific proteins called amyloid plaques and tau tangles. These brain changes are thought to be highly influenced by genetic predisposition, meaning that one of the primary risk factors for developing dementia symptoms from Alzheimer’s disease is having relatives with the condition. A first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with Alzheimer’s could increase the risk of a person developing dementia by 10% to 30%, according to the CDC. 

The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease may be difficulty remembering recent events, such as those that occurred earlier in the day or week. Long-term memories and personality characteristics may remain stable for a few years. However, as the disease progresses, the person may experience difficulty remembering memories from earlier in their life and may potentially lose the ability to recall any information. Personality changes and cognitive impairment can be common in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, along with difficulties with basic functioning like talking or walking. 

Lewy body dementia

Lewy body dementia is related to an abnormal buildup in the brain of a specific protein called alpha-synuclein, referred to as a Lewy body. Lewy body dementia can have more unique symptoms than other forms of dementia, including hallucinations. While some might think the word “hallucination” refers to seeing stimuli that aren’t truly there, it actually refers to any form of stimuli that doesn’t exist in reality. For Lewy body dementia patients, visual hallucinations are often common, but some people may also report hearing voices or smelling scents.

Hallucinations are an early sign of the disease. Additional symptoms more specific to Lewy body dementia than other forms of dementia include:

• Difficulties with movement and balance, like abnormal stiffness or trembling (trembling is sometimes also associated with Parkinson’s disease, which can frequently co-occur with Lewy body dementia)
• Alertness problems, such as confusion, staring into space, experiencing daytime sleepiness, and difficulty paying attention
• Difficulty sleeping at night

With Lewy body dementia, memory problems, cognitive decline, and other forms of impaired functioning commonly associated with dementia may not manifest until later in the disease progression.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is a specific form of dementia diagnosed when a cardiovascular challenge affects blood flow to the brain. Common causes of vascular dementia include strokes, brain hemorrhages, and narrow, damaged, or collapsed blood vessels. High blood pressure can be a risk factor for this condition, which is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Symptoms of vascular dementia can vary depending on which part of the brain is impacted by the lack of blood flow, as well as the size of the area affected. Memory loss may not be the first sign of vascular dementia. Cognitive challenges like slower thinking, difficulties with solving problems, and having trouble maintaining focus and staying organized may emerge first. Often, the primary indication that a person may have had a mini-stroke that is impacting their brain is no longer being able to follow delineated steps, like those in a recipe or assembly instructions.

Vascular dementia symptoms may appear more suddenly than other forms of dementia, where symptoms can worsen gradually over time and may not be noticeable for a while. This situation can be particularly common if the dementia is caused by a major cardiac event. Unlike some other forms of dementia, it may be easier to diagnose dementia due to vascular causes, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans often show lesions in the brain due to decreased blood flow.

Mixed dementia

“Mixed dementia” refers to a diagnosis of multiple forms of dementia at the same time. The most common combination is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, though Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia can also frequently co-occur. Cognitive decline may be quicker for people who have more than one type of dementia. 

Mixed dementia can be more common in people over the age of 80. Some of these patients may have developed one form of dementia in their 60s. By the time they reach 80, they may have experienced a number of cardiovascular events or had additional forms of protein buildup in their brains, resulting in multiple forms of dementia. 

Because the symptoms of different forms of dementia can overlap, it may be difficult to tell if someone has more than one form of dementia. Conclusive diagnoses sometimes can’t be made until after a person has passed away when an autopsy can be performed on their brain.  

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Addressing cognitive impairment 

Currently, there is no cure for dementia. However, some medications can be prescribed to manage specific symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. In addition, specific actions and lifestyle choices may prevent or delay developing dementia if one is genetically predisposed to the disease, as well as potentially slow dementia progression if it is already present. These actions include eating nourishing foods, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and consuming alcohol, and having a strong social support system.

Having dementia or caring for a loved one with the disease can significantly affect mental health. In addition, concerns about driving and navigation capability may make it complicated to attend in-person appointments.

Online therapy benefits for dementia caregivers

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a helpful additional resource for a dementia patient or caregiver. Through an online therapy platform, individuals can attend therapy via phone, video, or live chat sessions and access resources like support groups and worksheets. 

Efficacy of online therapy

Studies have shown that online therapy may be as effective as traditional in-person therapy when addressing a range of mental health concerns, including the stress of caring for someone with dementia. Researchers found that completing an online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in a sample of dementia caregivers.