Common causes of dementia which cannot be reversed with treatment include:
Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition characterized by the degeneration and death of brain cells, leading to a progressive decline in memory and cognitive function. It is the primary cause of dementia in older individuals, manifesting as difficulties in memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time, often interfering with daily activities.
Parkinson’s Disease: This is a type of movement disorder that can also lead to dementia.
Vascular Dementia: This condition arises from the interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing brain cells to die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Gradual narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, often due to atherosclerosis, lead to this interruption in blood supply.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Lewy bodies are abnormal protein deposits found in the brain. The exact cause of their formation and how they contribute to dementia is not fully understood. Some theories suggest they interfere with neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine. Individuals with this type of dementia often experience vivid visual hallucinations and may have a tendency to fall frequently.
Frontotemporal Dementia: This form of dementia results from progressive damage and shrinking of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Inherited genetic mutations play a significant role in many cases, leading to personality changes and abnormal behavior.
Less Common Causes of Dementia Include:
- Repeated head injuries
- Brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis
- Huntington’s disease, a rare genetic disorder causing progressive brain damage
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal condition affecting the brain and nervous system
- Thyroid gland disorders (overactive or underactive)
- Vitamin B deficiency
- Poisoning from heavy metals or pesticides
- Certain brain tumors
- Lung and heart conditions that disrupt blood and oxygen supply to the brain
Treatable Causes of Dementia:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Heavy metal poisoning (e.g., lead)
- Medication side effects or interactions
- Some brain tumors
- Chronic alcoholism
- HIV/AIDS