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EARLY STAGEDuration: 2-4 Years
MIDDLE STAGEDuration: 4-6 Years
LATE STAGE & END STAGEDuration: 2-4 Years (Varies)
For further information about Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, contact: Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with a person's daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms which may accompany certain diseases or physical conditions. The cause and rate of progression of dementias vary. Some of the more well-known diseases that produce dementia include Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia (stroke related dementia), Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and Parkinson's disease. Other conditions which may cause or mimic dementia include depression, brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, head injuries, hydrocephalus, infections (AIDS, meningitis, syphilis), drug reactions and thyroid problems. It is imperative that all persons experiencing memory deficits or confusion undergo a thorough diagnostic workup. This requires examination by a physician experienced in the diagnosis of dementing disorders and detailed laboratory testing. The examination should include a re-evaluation of all medications. This process will help the patient obtain treatment for reversible conditions, aid the patent and family in planning future care, and provide important medical information for future generations.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common of the dementing disorders, affecting as many as 5 million Americans. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory thinking and behavior. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include a gradual memory loss, decline in ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space, impairment of judgment, personality change, difficulty in learning, and loss of language and communication skills. As with all dementia's, the rate of progression in Alzheimer's patients varies from case to case. From the onset of symptoms, the life span of an Alzheimer victim can range anywhere from 3 to 20 or more years. The disease eventually leaves its victims unable to care for themselves. While a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is possible only through the examination of brain tissue, which is usually done at autopsy, it is important for a person suffering from any symptoms of dementia to undergo a thorough clinical examination. In fact, after such an evaluation, approximately 20% of suspected Alzheimer's cases prove to be a medical condition other than Alzheimer's, sometimes treatable
For further information about Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, contact:
DementiaDementia is the loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with a person’s daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms which may accompany certain diseases or physical conditions. The cause and rate of progression of dementias vary. Some of the more well-known diseases that produce dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington’s disease, Pick’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Other conditions which may cause or mimic dementia include depression, brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, head injuries, hydrocephalus, infections (AIDS, meningitis, syphilis), drug reactions and thyroid problems. It is imperative that all persons experiencing memory deficits or confusion undergo a thorough diagnostic workup. This requires examination by a physician experienced in the diagnosis of dementing disorders and detailed laboratory testing. The examination should include a re-evaluation of all medications. This process will help the patient obtain treatment for reversible conditions, aid the patent and family in planning future care, and provide important medical information for future generations. Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s disease is the most common of the dementing disorders, affecting as many as 4 million Americans. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory thinking and behavior. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include a gradual memory loss, decline in ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space, impairment of judgment, personality change, difficulty in learning, and loss of language and communication skills. As with all dementia’s, the rate of progression in Alzheimer’s patients varies from case to case. From the onset of symptoms, the life span of an Alzheimer victim can range anywhere from 3 to 20 or more years. The disease eventually leaves its victims unable to care for themselves. While a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is possible only through the examination of brain tissue, which is usually done at autopsy, it is important for a person suffering from any symptoms of dementia to undergo a thorough clinical examination. In fact, after such an evaluation, approximately 20% of suspected Alzheimer’s cases prove to be a medical condition other than Alzheimer’s, sometimes treatable. Multi-Infarct Dementia Multi-infarct dementia (MID), or vascular dementia, is a deterioration of mental capabilities caused by multiple strokes (infarcts) in the brain. The onset of MID may be relatively sudden as many strokes can occur before symptoms appear. These strokes may damage areas of the brain responsible for a specific function as well as produce generalized symptoms of dementia. As result, MID may appear similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Multi-infarct dementia is not reversible or curable, but recognition of an underlying condition (high blood pressure) often leads to specific treatment that may modify the progression of that disorder. Multi-infarct dementia is usually diagnosed through neurological examination and brain scanning techniques, such as computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in order to identify strokes in the brain. Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system which affects more than one million Americans. Individuals with PD lack the substance dopamine, which is important for the central nervous system’s control of muscle activity. Parkinson’s diseases often characterized by tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, speech impediments and difficulty in initiating physical movement. Late in the course of the disease, some patients develop dementia and eventually Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, some Alzheimer's patients develop symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Medications such as levodopa, which converts itself into dopamine once inside the brain and depreynl, which prevents degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons, are used to improve diminished or reduce motor symptoms in PD patients but do not correct the mental changes that occur. Picks Disease Pick’s disease is also a rare brain disorder which, like Alzheimer’s disease, is usually difficult to diagnose. Disturbances in personality, behavior and orientation may precede and initially be more severe than memory defects. Like Alzheimer’s disease, a definitive diagnosis is usually obtained at autopsy. DepressionDepression is a psychiatric disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, feelings of hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies. Many severely depressed patients will have some mental deficits including poor concentration and attention. When dementia and depression are present together, intellectual deterioration may be exaggerated. Depression, whether present alone or in combination with dementia, can be reversed with proper treatment.
Multi-infarct dementia (MID), or vascular dementia, is a deterioration of mental capabilities caused by multiple strokes (infarcts) in the brain. The onset of MID may be relatively sudden as many strokes can occur before symptoms appear. These strokes may damage areas of the brain responsible for a specific function as well as produce generalized symptoms of dementia. As result, MID may appear similar to Alzheimer's disease. Multi-infarct dementia is not reversible or curable, but recognition of an underlying condition (high blood pressure) often leads to specific treatment that may modify the progression of that disorder. Multi-infarct dementia is usually diagnosed through neurological examination and brain scanning techniques, such as computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in order to identify strokes in the brain.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system which affects more than one million Americans. Individuals with PD lack the substance dopamine, which is important for the central nervous system's control of muscle activity. Parkinson's diseases often characterized by tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, speech impediments and difficulty in initiating physical movement. Late in the course of the disease, some patients develop dementia and eventually Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, some Alzheimer's patients develop symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Medications such as levodopa, which converts itself into dopamine once inside the brain and depreynl, which prevents degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons, are used to improve diminished or reduce motor symptoms in PD patients but do not correct the mental changes that occur.
Pick's disease is also a rare brain disorder which, like Alzheimer's disease, is usually difficult to diagnose. Disturbances in personality, behavior and orientation may precede and initially be more severe than memory defects. Like Alzheimer's disease, a definitive diagnosis is usually obtained at autopsy.
Depression is a psychiatric disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, feelings of hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies. Many severely depressed patients will have some mental deficits including poor concentration and attention. When dementia and depression are present together, intellectual deterioration may be exaggerated. Depression, whether present alone or in combination with dementia, can be reversed with proper treatment. Learn more by clicking on the following links:
The Family Caregiver Alliance Elder Care The Alzheimer's Store Glossary of Terms |
