Memory Disorders and Dementia

1. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
2. Vascular Cognitive Impairment
3. Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
4. Frontotemporal Dementia
5. Alzheimer’s Disease

• age
• trauma
• substance abuse and exposure to neurotoxins
• vitamin deficiencies, poor nutrition
• traumatic brain injury, brain tumors
• cardiovascular disease, heart attack/stroke
• Parkinson’s disease, Cancer
• untreated infections and metabolic abnormalities
• heredity (genes associated with Huntington’s or Alzheimer’s disease)

There is no single cause that results in memory loss or other forms of cognitive difficulties, but rather they are a result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Dementia is a descriptive term rather than a diagnosis. It’s the umbrella term associated with memory loss and other cognitive abilities that interfere with daily activities. People with dementia experience a deterioration in their cognitive function beyond normal aging memory impairments.  Dementia results from a number of diseases and or injuries that are related to the brain, such as strokes or Alzheimer’s disease.  As a progressive disease, Dementia becomes worse over time.  The basic three stages may last from months to years.

Early Stage:

• Losing track of time
• Forgetfulness
• Becoming lost in familiar places
• Mild confusion
• Able to handle most tasks without assistance

Middle Stage:

• Becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
• Behavioral changes, becoming moody
• Becoming lost at home
• More difficulties in communicating
• May need personal assistance or care

Late Stage:

• Unaware of time and or place
• Difficulty recognizing friends or family
• Difficulty with movement
• Increased behavior change
• Requiring assistance with all aspects of daily life