What are the different types of dementia?

If you’re not exactly sure what dementia is you’re not alone. But knowing the different types can help you offer the right care and support. Here’s a quick overview. To explore more, follow the source links below.

What is dementia?

Dementia is not a disease – it is the word used to describe a cluster of symptoms produced by a specific set of diseases that affect the brain. These symptoms have a major effect on a person’s daily life. The diseases effect on the brain can alter the ability to think, remember, make decisions, and communicate. Some can lead to changes in personality, perception and behaviour.

Who does it affect?

Dementia is not always an older person’s disease. It mostly affects older adults but it is not a normal part of ageing. As we get older we are likely to experience a few memory issues (called cognitive decline) but what dementia is describing is a different thing. It can be a very challenging experience for both the person affected and their families and caregivers. 5% of individuals diagnosed are under the age of 65. These people are usually referred to as having ‘younger onset’ or ‘early-onset’ dementia. However, because it is rarer for a younger person to have dementia this often leads to its symptoms being overlooked or dismissed as something else, like work stress, burnout, or depression. This can result in a critical delay in diagnosis. In addition younger people are more likely to experience stigma because dementia is so strongly associated with older age.

So, what are the most common types of disease behind dementia?

Let’s look at the big 4 – as well as the dementia related to alcohol.

Alzheimer’s disease: the exact cause is unknown but we do know that ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ form in the brain that affect brain health. And people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may also have chemical changes in the brain that leads to information not being transmitted effectively.

This is the most common form of dementia. Over 50% of all people with dementia have it.

It’s a progressive condition that causes memory loss, difficulties with language, disorientation, and mood changes. Over time the damage to brain and nerve cells affects bodily function.

It does not have a cure but there are some medications can help with some of the symptoms of this disease in its earlier stages.

Vascular dementia: caused by a series of mini-strokes that damage the brain’s blood vessels. This type of dementia affects thinking, memory, and motor skills and is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as depression, fatigue, and loss of coordination.

There are no specific treatments but medication can be given for underlying conditions – like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems or diabetes. (Medications used for Alzheimer’s disease are not effective for vascular dementia, unless the person has been diagnosed with mixed dementia.)

A person with vascular dementia can be supported to stop smoking, exercise, regularly, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. These things won’t cure them, but they may help slow the progression of the disease.

Lewy body dementia: caused by abnormal clumps of protein (called Lewy bodies) gathering inside brain cells and affecting how they function. It has two subtypes; dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia. It particularly affects the person’s ability to think and move and can cause hallucinations, fluctuations in alertness and sleep disturbances. All of this can be extremely distressing for the person and their family.

The main difference between the two types of Lewy body dementia is when certain symptoms first occur:

• Dementia with Lewy bodies – changes in thinking, visual perception (cognitive symptoms) and sleep may be experienced first and difficulty with movement (Parkinsonian symptoms) – occur at the same time or later.

• Parkinson’s disease dementia – Parkinsonian symptoms are experienced first followed by cognitive changes. Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease will go onto develop dementia but the risk of developing dementia is increased.

As the condition gets worse both people with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia tend to have similar symptoms and will both have increasing difficulty managing everyday tasks.

Memory is often not as affected as with other types of dementia but people may be at more risk of mood and behaviour changes and delusions and paranoia. One type of delusion is known as Capgras syndrome, when the person believes that a friend or relation has been replaced by an imposter – a particularly difficult symptom for families.

Importantly many people with Lewy body dementia are particularly sensitive to medications, so a correct diagnosis really matters.

Frontotemporal dementia: caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins within the brain, which damages the cells. It’s not known why this happens, but it is thought to have a genetic link in around a third of people with the diagnosis. It affects the front and side areas of the brain that control personality, behaviour, and language. Unlike other types of dementia, memory loss and concentration problems are less common in the early stages.

People with this type of dementia may experience changes in personality, have language difficulties, and problems with decision-making.

Medication is less successful with helping management of this disease. Practical strategies are usually the preferred focus.

Alcohol Induced Dementia: Caused by excessive alcohol use over a long period of time that leads to alcohol-related brain disorders (ARBD).

The good news is that of all the dementias, ARBD is potentially reversible if the person stops drinking. Abstinence can halt the deterioration and even lead to the regaining of some cognitive function but this is not guaranteed. This is because alcohol abuse causes two types of damage to the brain: direct toxic effects on cells and a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine).

Men aged between 45 and 65 tend to be the most affected, but it’s important to remember that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can develop ARBD. It’s also worth noting that while younger people may drink more frequently, older people are drinking more than ever before.

Alcohol can cause nerve cell death and brain shrinkage, as well as damage other organs such as the heart, which can reduce blood supply to the brain. Additionally, heavy drinking often leads to not looking after yourself – including poor diet and thiamine deficiency, which is super important for brain function. Replacement of thiamine may actually help brain function to be preserved.

A word about mixed dementia

As the name suggests, mixed dementia is a combination of two or more types of dementia. It is actually quite common for people with dementia to have more than one type of dementia, which can lead to a complex set of symptoms and greater difficulties in diagnosis.

The bottom line is that every person with dementia experiences the condition differently. The rate of progression and the symptoms experienced can vary greatly from person to person.

So, what can we take away from this?

Firstly, it’s important to remember that people with dementia are just that - people. They are our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, friends, and partners and, like all of us, they deserve to be seen, heard, and understood.

While dementia can be a challenging experience, understanding the different types of dementia can help families and caregivers provide better support and care.

If you or someone you know appears to be experiencing symptoms of dementia, it’s essential to seek medical attention and if it is dementia to then discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider.

One of the most important sources of support for carers of people with dementia – is other people in the same situation.

But not everyone has easy access to a group of others in the same boat. That’s why we have set up an Elderflowers private Facebook group here. We invite you to join us – in a space where you can talk freely about any issues you’re dealing with, ask any questions you have, or share your experiences. By providing care and support for each other we can help support good care. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Elderflowers team.