Which Is Worse, Dementia Or Alzheimer’s Disease? An Examination Of Different Forms Of Dementi
With all of the different terms that can refer to memory loss in old age, it can be confusing to understand their meaning. You may be wondering what to take away from a particular diagnosis. Is dementia worse than Alzheimer’s disease? What about vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia?
However, there is no difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease because dementia is the umbrella term referring to symptoms of cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease is a specific disease resulting in dementia. Understanding variations between different dementia conditions can be a step toward processing a diagnosis for you or a loved one.
Types of dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is not the only disease that can cause dementia. There are various types of dementia, including the following.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that between 60% and 80% of dementia patients are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. It is caused by specific proteins, called amyloid plaques and tau tangles, building up in the brain and affecting brain cells’ ability to communicate with each other.
The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease may be difficulty remembering recent events, such as something that happened earlier in the week. This symptom is thought to occur first because the protein buildup often begins in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for encoding new memories.
As plaques and tangles spread to other parts of the brain, Alzheimer’s disease patients may start to forget earlier memories and then lose their memory entirely. In later stages of the disease, individuals can also have difficulty with functionality like walking and talking.
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia occurs when dementia symptoms are caused by a cardiovascular event within the brain, such as a stroke, hemorrhage, or collapsed or damaged blood vessels. Vascular dementia can be common, occurring at rates second only to Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of vascular dementia can vary, depending on the part of the brain that was affected. Cognitive impairment, such as slower thinking and difficulty with solving problems and paying attention, is often the first sign of vascular dementia, with memory loss following.
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia received its name from its primary cause, which is the buildup in the brain of alpha-synuclein proteins, referred to as Lewy bodies. Lewy body dementia symptoms can be unique and can include:
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty balancing
- Staring into space
- Stiffness
- Difficulty paying attention
- Confusion
- Insomnia
Memory problems typically emerge later in the disease.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare form of dementia that is not connected to older age. People with frontotemporal dementia typically start displaying signs of the disease between the ages of 45 and 65. It is caused by an abnormal buildup of the same tau proteins present in Alzheimer’s disease, along with another protein called TDP-43. These buildups are concentrated in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for higher-order thinking, so frontotemporal dementia can be one of the more debilitating forms of the condition.
The first sign of frontotemporal dementia is typically behavior that is markedly out of character for a person, usually one that is inappropriate, embarrassing, or related to neglecting responsibilities. This behavior can be followed by changes in emotional regulation, personality, judgment, and thinking patterns. People with frontotemporal dementia may also eventually have difficulty processing language, recognizing musical rhythms, swallowing, and moving their eyes.
Parkinson’s disease dementia
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that tends to develop in people older than the age of 60. In this respect, it may seem similar to dementia, but some people think of Parkinson’s disease as primarily a movement and motor disorder, not one that causes cognitive impairment or memory loss.
The most well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are muscle-related, with individuals often experiencing muscle rigidity and tightness that can impact their ability to walk and perform other everyday activities, including talking. Some people may also experience tremors in their arms and hands. Rarely these tremors can occur in other parts of the body.
Although some individuals may focus on the physical impacts of Parkinson’s disease and ignore the mental effects, cognitive decline is a more common symptom of Parkinson’s disease than some might realize, potentially because signs of Parkinson’s disease dementia often do not emerge until years after the early symptoms affecting motor skills have developed. The first sign of Parkinson’s disease dementia may be forgetfulness. However, as the disease progresses, Parkinson’s disease dementia can evolve into difficulty solving problems, paying attention, understanding previously understood concepts, and communicating with other people.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a specific brain disease that is very rare and, when it does occur, primarily affects older adults. Unlike other forms of dementia, it is a prion disorder. Prions are a protein that occurs naturally in the body, but when the body’s prions are exposed to an infected prion (either from within the body or an outside source), they can become misshapen and seriously disturb bodily processes. In most cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the source of the infected prions is unknown, though it can sometimes be passed down genetically.
Symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can include more common dementia symptoms like personality change, memory loss, and cognitive impairment. Symptoms can also include blurry vision and blindness, difficulty swallowing, sudden or jerky movement, loss of balance, and slurred speech. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease often worsens much faster than any other type of dementia and is always fatal. Death often occurs within a year of diagnosis and is most often caused by infection, which the disease makes the body more vulnerable to.
Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is another rare source of dementia, though not as rare as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. It is considered a primarily genetic disorder that is passed from parent to child. Research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that if a person has a parent with Huntington’s disease, they have a 50% chance of developing the disorder as well.
Huntington’s disease is an unusual form of dementia in that it typically manifests relatively young, with symptoms first emerging in a person’s 30s or 40s. These symptoms can include decreased impulse control, difficulty focusing, memory loss, motor issues affecting balance and speech, irritability, social withdrawal, and depression. Researchers believe that in the case of Huntington’s disease, depression symptoms may be associated with chemical changes in the brain, as opposed to depression developing due to coping with the impacts of the disease, as can be common in patients with other forms of dementia.
Mixed dementia
Mixed dementia is not a stand-alone diagnosis but a term used to refer to a situation in which a person has multiple forms of dementia at the same time. The most common combination resulting in mixed dementia is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. In cases of mixed dementia, individuals often experience cognitive decline at a faster rate than those with only one type of dementia.
Support for those living with dementia and caregivers
Dementia can take a toll on the mental health of individuals living with the condition and caregivers. Therapy may be a helpful option for coping with these challenges. However, logistical concerns related to the disease, like worries about driving capability, may complicate attending an in-person therapy appointment. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be a more accessible alternative care option in these situations.
Through an online platform, clients can connect with a therapist from any location with an internet connection via phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, online therapy platforms may offer unique resources like journaling prompts, worksheets, goal tracking, and support groups.
Research has found that attending therapy online may have no difference in efficacy than attending traditional in-person therapy sessions. One study found that completing online therapy reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in a group of dementia caregivers. If you are hoping to receive support for a dementia diagnosis for you or a loved one, online therapy could be a beneficial resource.
Takeaway
It can be complicated to understand the many various types of dementia, from vascular dementia to Huntington’s disease. Increased comprehension of different causes and symptoms of dementia may help individuals process the condition's impact. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area for personalized support.
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