Dementia Definition and Epidemiology

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with communication and problem-solving.
It is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive function and daily living activities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia, with numbers expected to triple by 2050.

Alzheimer's disease: Most common type, accounting for 60-80% of cases, characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Vascular dementia: Second most common type, resulting from reduced blood flow to the brain, often caused by small strokes or vascular disease.
Lewy body dementia: Characterized by abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies in the brain, leading to fluctuations in cognition and alertness.
Frontotemporal dementia: A group of disorders affecting the front and temporal lobes, leading to changes in behavior, language, and movement.
Other types: Mixed dementia, traumatic brain injury, and dementia caused by other medical conditions, such as Huntington's disease.

Age: Risk of dementia increases with age, with most cases occurring in people over 65.
Genetics: Family history and genetic mutations can increase risk.
Lifestyle factors: Physical inactivity, smoking, and social isolation may contribute to risk.
Medical conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease may increase risk.

Cognitive symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, difficulty with communication, problem-solving, and judgment.
Non-cognitive symptoms: Mood changes, personality changes, and difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis: Based on medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and cognitive and behavioral assessments.

Medications: Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and combination therapies to manage symptoms.
Non-pharmacological interventions: Cognitive training, behavioral therapy, and caregiver support.
Lifestyle modifications: Encouraging physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation.

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive function and daily living activities, characterized by symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with communication and problem-solving.
There are over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia, with numbers expected to triple by 2050.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type, accounting for 60-80% of cases, characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Vascular dementia is the second most common type, resulting from reduced blood flow to the brain, often caused by small strokes or vascular disease.
Lewy body dementia is characterized by abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies in the brain, leading to fluctuations in cognition and alertness.
Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders affecting the front and temporal lobes, leading to changes in behavior, language, and movement.
Other types of dementia include mixed dementia, traumatic brain injury, and dementia caused by other medical conditions, such as Huntington's disease.

The risk of dementia increases with age, with most cases occurring in people over 65.
Family history and genetic mutations can increase the risk of dementia.
Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, and social isolation may contribute to the risk of dementia.
Medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease may increase the risk of dementia.

Cognitive symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with communication, problem-solving, and judgment.
Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia include mood changes, personality changes, and difficulty with daily living activities.
Diagnosis of dementia is based on medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and cognitive and behavioral assessments.

Medications used to manage dementia symptoms include cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and combination therapies.
Non-pharmacological interventions for dementia include cognitive training, behavioral therapy, and caregiver support.
Lifestyle modifications such as encouraging physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation can help manage dementia.