Types of Dementia
There are several types of dementia. Here are some of them:
Alzheimer's Disease causes the most prevalent form of dementia. Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain in which clumps of plaque and tangles of protein, inflammation, and brain cell death result in the dementia symptoms.
Vascular Dementia is the second most common form. Vascular Dementia may result from one or more hemorrhages or areas of dead brain tissue resulting from a lack of oxygen. If the blood flow is blocked, oxygen is not delivered where it is needed and the deprived tissue dies. A stroke or a series of strokes can cause the hemorrhages or the block to the blood flow. Vascular Dementia can potentially be avoided if the patient is diagnosed early enough and given sufficient medical care to correct the blood flow issues in their brain. It is not considered to be progressive like Alzheimer's.
Mixed Dementia occurs when the patient has both Alzheimer's disease and Vascular dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia is caused by round clusters of a protein collecting in the brain. Parkinson's disease produces this type of dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is progressive like Alzheimer's.
Frontotemporal Dementia is a rare form of dementia which has three recognized sub-types. With this type of dementia, the disease is limited to the frontal or temporal anterior lobes of the brain. Those areas begin shrinking which leads to the symptoms. The specific symptoms depend upon where the damage is occurring.
We do not yet know what is causing Lyn's dementia. Hopefully, once her tests are done and she is able to meet with the neurologist, we will have a better idea of what is going on in her brain.
Additional Information Sources:
Wikipedia - Multi-infarct Dementia
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Frontotemporal Dementia
Alzheimer's Disease causes the most prevalent form of dementia. Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain in which clumps of plaque and tangles of protein, inflammation, and brain cell death result in the dementia symptoms.
Vascular Dementia is the second most common form. Vascular Dementia may result from one or more hemorrhages or areas of dead brain tissue resulting from a lack of oxygen. If the blood flow is blocked, oxygen is not delivered where it is needed and the deprived tissue dies. A stroke or a series of strokes can cause the hemorrhages or the block to the blood flow. Vascular Dementia can potentially be avoided if the patient is diagnosed early enough and given sufficient medical care to correct the blood flow issues in their brain. It is not considered to be progressive like Alzheimer's.
Mixed Dementia occurs when the patient has both Alzheimer's disease and Vascular dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia is caused by round clusters of a protein collecting in the brain. Parkinson's disease produces this type of dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is progressive like Alzheimer's.
Frontotemporal Dementia is a rare form of dementia which has three recognized sub-types. With this type of dementia, the disease is limited to the frontal or temporal anterior lobes of the brain. Those areas begin shrinking which leads to the symptoms. The specific symptoms depend upon where the damage is occurring.
We do not yet know what is causing Lyn's dementia. Hopefully, once her tests are done and she is able to meet with the neurologist, we will have a better idea of what is going on in her brain.
Additional Information Sources:
Wikipedia - Multi-infarct Dementia
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Frontotemporal Dementia
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