# Dementia Overview | Symptoms, Causes, Tests and Treatment | OSANG > Dementia refers to a condition in which normally developed cognitive functions deteriorate due to various causes, making independent daily life difficult. 60-70% of the… - Official page: https://osns.co.kr/en/encyclopedia/dementia-overview - Organization: OSANG Neurosurgery ## Page content Dementia/Cognition ## Dementia Overview Dementia Overview · F03, G30 Dementia is a clinical syndrome in which cognitive functions, including memory, are impaired due to an acquired decline, causing disruption in daily life and social activities. It is not a single disease, but a condition that occurs as a result of multiple causes. ## At a glance Dementia refers to a condition in which normally developed cognitive functions deteriorate due to various causes, making independent daily life difficult. 60-70% of the causes are Alzheimer's disease, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. The number of dementia patients worldwide is estimated to increase from approximately 57 million in 2019 to 153 million in 2050. Approximately 40% of risk factors are correctable, and progression can be slowed with early diagnosis and management. - 01Definition and Overview - 02Main cause disease - 03progress stage - 04diagnosis - 05treatment ## Definition and Overview Dementia is a clinical syndrome in which the normally mature brain is damaged due to acquired causes, resulting in deterioration of various cognitive areas such as memory, language, visuospatial ability, judgment, and executive function, making independent daily life and social activities difficult. In recent diagnostic systems, it is classified as a major neurocognitive disorder. Dementia is not a single disease, but a common result of several diseases. Therefore, the core of diagnosis consists of two steps: confirming the presence of cognitive decline and identifying the cause of the disease. In ICD-10, dementia itself is classified as F03 (dementia of unspecified condition), and dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease is classified into G30 and F00 series. ## Main cause disease ### Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, accounting for 60-70% of all dementia cases. Nerve cells are lost due to abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta and tau proteins, and recent memory slowly begins to deteriorate. ### vascular dementia Vascular dementia is caused by damage to brain tissue due to stroke or chronic cerebrovascular disease and is the second most common cause. It is characterized by progressive worsening and focal neurological signs. ### Lewy body dementia Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by deposition of alpha-synuclein protein and is accompanied by cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, Parkinson's symptoms, and REM sleep behavior disorder. ### frontotemporal dementia Frontotemporal dementia occurs at a relatively young age, and personality changes, behavioral abnormalities, and language disorders appear before memory. Other causes include Parkinson's disease dementia, alcoholic dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, hypothyroidism, and vitamin B12 deficiency. In fact, mixed dementia, in which both Alzheimer's pathology and vascular pathology exist together, is common in elderly patients. ## progress stage Dementia generally progresses through the following stages: - Mild: Deterioration of recent memory, mild disruption of occupational and social activities. Independent living is generally possible. - Moderate: Help is needed to perform daily activities, navigation difficulties, speech and judgment decline, and behavioral changes become evident. - Severe: Full assistance is required for all aspects of daily life, communication is difficult, and basic functions such as walking and swallowing are impaired. The speed of progression varies depending on the causative disease and individual, and even for the same Alzheimer's disease, there is a large difference in the course of the disease. ## diagnosis Diagnosis aims to objectively confirm and identify the cause of cognitive decline. - History taking: Confirmation of onset time, progression pattern, and accompanying symptoms through guardian - Neuropsychological test: Evaluation of cognitive areas such as memory, language, visuospatial, and executive function - Brain imaging: MRI confirms atrophy, vascular lesions, normal pressure hydrocephalus, etc. - Blood test: exclude correctable causes such as thyroid function, vitamin B12, electrolytes, etc. - Biomarker: Amyloid PET, cerebrospinal fluid amyloid and tau test to confirm Alzheimer's pathology If you accurately identify the cause early, you can avoid missing out on correctable dementia and develop an appropriate drug and non-drug treatment plan. ## treatment ### medication In Alzheimer's disease and some dementias, cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine) are used to relieve cognitive symptoms. Recently, anti-amyloid antibodies (such as lecanemab), which directly remove amyloid, were introduced to suppress the progression of early Alzheimer's disease. ### Non-drug treatment Cognitive stimulation training, regular exercise, social activities, and lifestyle management contribute to maintaining cognitive function. For behavioral and psychological symptoms, environmental adjustments and non-pharmacological approaches are given priority. ### Risk Factor Management High blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, hearing loss, depression, and social isolation are correctable risk factors. It is analyzed that managing these can theoretically prevent or delay about 40% of dementia. ## Frequently asked questions ### Q01What is the difference between dementia and forgetfulness? Simple forgetfulness involves recalling forgotten facts when given a hint, and does not interfere with daily life. On the other hand, memory impairment caused by dementia causes the person to forget the entire event and cannot recall it even when given hints, and daily functions such as making appointments, eating, and finding directions gradually become impaired. If the change persists, such as repeating the same questions or not remembering what you just did, you may need a test. ### Q02Is all dementia inherited? Most dementias are not inherited. Less than 1% of Alzheimer's disease is familial due to specific genetic mutations, and the remainder is caused by a combination of age, vascular risk factors, and lifestyle habits. However, if a parent or sibling has dementia, the risk increases somewhat, so managing risk factors is important. ### Q03Can dementia be cured? There is currently no cure for degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, and the goal of treatment is to slow the progression and control symptoms. However, differential diagnosis is important because some causes, such as normal pressure hydrocephalus, hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiency, and drug side effects, can be improved by correction. ### Q04Can dementia be prevented? Approximately 40% of dementia risk factors are analyzed to be correctable. Management of high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, smoking cessation, abstinence from drinking, regular exercise, hearing correction, social activities and cognitive stimulation, and treatment of depression help lower the risk. ### Q05How do I get tested for dementia? The degree and area of cognitive decline is assessed through history taking, neurological examination, and neuropsychological testing (cognitive function testing), and atrophy and vascular lesions are confirmed with brain MRI. If necessary, correctable causes are ruled out with a blood test, and the causative disease is identified with an amyloid PET or cerebrospinal fluid test. ### Q06What are the signs of early dementia? Decreased memory that causes frequent forgetting of recent events and repetition of the same questions, difficulty finding directions that causes wandering on familiar roads, language difficulties that make it difficult to recall the names of objects, decreased calculation and management skills, and changes in personality or emotions may appear in the early stages. If these changes persist for more than several months and worsen, medical attention is needed. ## Related articles - Alzheimer's disease - vascular dementia - Lewy body dementia - frontotemporal dementia This article provides general medical information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. Please seek a medical assessment if symptoms persist. ## Important notice This Markdown alternative helps search and AI tools understand the public page accurately. It provides general health information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment.