Memory Disorders Clinic

Symptoms & Causes

Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases, affecting one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, judgment, or behavior. It may also be referred to as major neurocognitive disorder.

Symptoms

Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including:

• Memory Issues: Forgetting names of familiar people, recent events, or conversations.
• Cognitive Challenges: Difficulty solving problems, making decisions, or performing tasks that require thought.
• Language Problems: Trouble naming objects or following conversations.
• Perceptual Difficulties: Difficulty understanding visual information.
• Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Alterations in mood, personality, or social skills.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition in which a person experiences more memory and thinking problems than others their age. People with MCI have mild issues with cognitive functions that do not interfere with daily activities. They often recognize their forgetfulness. Importantly, not everyone with MCI develops dementia.

Symptoms of MCI can include:

• Difficulty Multitasking: Struggling to manage more than one task at a time.
• Problem-Solving Challenges: Difficulty solving problems or making decisions.
• Memory Issues: Forgetting names of familiar people, recent events, or conversations.
• Slower Mental Processing: Taking longer to complete complex mental activities.

Early symptoms of dementia can include:

• Difficulty with Complex Tasks: Struggling with tasks that once came easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing games (e.g., bridge), or learning new information and routines.
• Getting Lost: Difficulty navigating familiar routes.
• Misplacing Items: Frequently losing everyday items.
• Loss of Interest: Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities and experiencing a flat mood.
• Language Issues: Trouble naming familiar objects or following conversations.
• Behavioral and Personality Changes: Changes in personality, social skills, and mood, which can lead to inappropriate behaviors or aggression.
• Poor Job Performance: Decline in work performance and responsibilities.

As dementia progresses, symptoms become more severe and may include:

• Memory and Awareness Issues: Forgetting details about current events, personal life history, or experiencing a loss of self-awareness.
• Difficulty with Basic Tasks: Struggles with everyday activities, including preparing meals, choosing appropriate clothing, or driving.
• Cognitive Challenges: Increased difficulty with reading, writing, and poor judgment or recognizing danger.
• Communication Problems: Difficulty using the correct words, pronouncing words correctly, or speaking in confusing sentences.
• Wandering: Getting lost or wandering in familiar or unfamiliar places.
• Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, agitation, depression, and violent or inappropriate behavior.
• Social Withdrawal: Withdrawing from social interactions and relationships.
• Sleep Pattern Changes: Altered sleep patterns, such as frequently waking up at night.

In severe cases, individuals with dementia may:

• Lose the ability to perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
• Experience problems with controlling bowel movements or urin
• Have difficulty swallowing
• Fail to recognize family members
• Have trouble understanding language

Causes

Dementia predominantly affects older adults, with most types being uncommon in those under 60. The risk of developing dementia increases with age.

Most forms of dementia are progressive and nonreversible, meaning the brain changes causing the condition cannot be halted or reversed. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

Another prevalent form is vascular dementia, which results from poor blood flow to the brain, often due to stroke. Lewy body dementia is also common in older adults, characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain. Additionally, any condition that leads to brain injury can contribute to dementia.

Several medical conditions can lead to dementia, including:

• Huntington’s disease
• Frontotemporal degeneration (Pick’s disease)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
• Infections such as HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, and Lyme disease
• Brain injury
• Excess alcohol use
• Brain trauma

Some causes of dementia, particularly those linked to abnormal chemical processes in the body, can potentially be stopped or reversed if identified early. These include:

• Brain injury
• Brain tumors
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Changes in blood sugar, sodium, and calcium levels
• Low vitamin B12 level
• Long-term (chronic) alcohol abuse
• Use of certain medicines, including cimetidine and some cholesterol medicines
• Some brain infections