Dementia

Dementia (also referred to as senility) refers to a group of diseases that affect memory, thinking and social skills to a large extent. It is caused by damage to the brain cells, which interferes with the ability of the brain cells to communicate with each other. It affects the brain function as well as the ability to perform daily activities. Although dementia is accompanied by memory loss, this alone does not signify that you have dementia, as a certain amount of memory loss is a normal part of ageing. Dementia often sets in gradually, and over time, decreases your ability to think and function.

Certain types of dementia may be reversible. The causes of reversible dementia are:

• Hypothyroidism, which is a disease of the thyroid gland

• Vitamin B12 deficiency

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus

• Lyme disease, an infectious disease caused by bacteria from the bite of infected ticks

• Neurosyphilis, an infection of the brain or spinal cord caused by a disease known as syphilis

Several diseases fall under the umbrella category of dementia, some of which are:

• Alzheimer’s disease: This is caused by injury to the blood vessels due to blood clot or stroke. It is the most common type of dementia.

• Vascular dementia: This is the second most common type of dementia, and it is caused by disease or injury to blood vessels that damage the brain, including strokes.

• Dementia with Lewy bodies: This type of dementia causes tremors, hallucinations and muscle rigidity. It primarily affects your motor skills.

• Parkinson's disease dementia: This type of dementia affects patients with Parkinson’s disease, which is a disorder of the nervous system.

There are several other types of dementia as well including frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

When to seek expert advise

If you or a loved one is facing memory loss or other related symptoms, or you notice a change in his/her emotional state and social behaviour, it is recommended that you consult with a doctor immediately. You can obtain additional information and expert medical advice from the Mind and Brain Service Line​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital.​​

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