Imagine struggling to remember your loved ones, the places you've been or even your own name. The haunting reality of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is a terrifying prospect for many individuals and their families.

Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia, gradually erodes memory, thinking and behavior, reaching a point where it hinders the simplest daily tasks. However, dementia is a broader term encompassing conditions characterized by significant memory loss and cognitive decline, which profoundly impact daily life. In this article, experts will explore the differences between Alzheimer's and dementia, shedding light on these complex neurological disorders that affect millions worldwide.

What is Alzheimer's?

"There are several different forms of dementia," Dr. Andrew Segovia Kulik, chair of the behavioral health department at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago, told HealthDay. "Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy body, etc., are all forms, but the most common form accounting for 70 percent of all dementias is the Alzheimer's type."

Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association, is a specific type of dementia that primarily targets memory, thinking and behavior. As the condition progresses, its symptoms intensify, ultimately interfering with an individual's ability to carry out daily tasks.

However, it is crucial to dispel a common misconception that Alzheimer's is typical with aging. While advancing age is the most significant known risk factor, with most cases occurring in individuals aged 65 and older, it can also affect younger individuals, known as early-onset Alzheimer's.

Other types of dementia

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is a result of a blockage of blood flow to your brain. It is often related to strokes or the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Symptoms can vary widely and may onset slowly or suddenly.

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive disease. It is caused by deposits of protein in your nerves that disrupt electrical signals. With this form of dementia, you may experience changes in thinking, confusion, and changes in movement patterns.

Parkinson’s disease dementia

This form of dementia typically develops in people with Parkinson's a year or more after they were first diagnosed. It causes a decline in cognitive ability.

Frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a group of conditions characterized by loss of brain function in the part of your brain near your forehead or behind your ears. Behavioral changes are often the first symptom of frontotemporal dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association notes.

Posterior cortical atrophy

Posterior cortical atrophy causes a progressive deterioration of the outer layer of your brain (the cortex) in the posterior part of your brain. Symptoms typically include problems with visual tasks such as reading or perceiving moving objects, however they can vary.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Only affecting about 350 people in the United States each year, this is a rare infectious disease, according to Healthline. It causes dementia that progresses rapidly and often starts with problems with muscle coordination, personality changes, and vision problems. About 70 of people with Creutzfeldt-Jakob die within a year.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 commonly caused by chronic alcohol misuse. Symptoms may include double vision, confusion, drooping upper eyelids, and loss of muscle coordination.

Mixed dementia

If you develop more than one type of dementia, you have mixed dementia. The most common combination is vascular dementia with Alzheimer’s disease.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a condition caused by a buildup of fluid in the ventricles of your brain that can cause problems with cognition, movement, and bladder control. The cause isn't typically known, however, head injuries, infections, bleeding in your brain, and surgery can contribute to its development.

Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is a rare condition that causes nerve cells in your brain to break down. Huntington's disease is caused by a gene abnormality. Early symptoms can include mood changes, psychosis, and poor coordination.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Recognizing the signs of Alzheimer's disease is crucial for early detection and intervention. Understanding these symptoms can help individuals and their loved ones seek appropriate medical attention and support.

Here are some common signs of Alzheimer's disease, as outlined by the National Institute on Aging:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting recently acquired information, important dates or events, or repeatedly asking for the same information.
Challenges in problem-solving, planning or completing familiar tasks including managing finances, following a recipe or driving to a familiar location.
Difficulty with time or spatial orientation, including losing track of dates, seasons or the passage of time, or getting lost in familiar places.
Changes in visual perception, such as difficulty reading, judging distances, or identifying colors or contrast.
New problems with words, such as struggling to join or follow a conversation, experiencing a sudden pause while speaking and being unable to find the right words.
Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps to find them, often accusing others of stealing.
Decreased or poor judgment, such as making questionable financial decisions or neglecting personal hygiene.
Social withdrawal or changes in personality, such as becoming irritable, suspicious, fearful or easily upset in unfamiliar situations.
Gradual or significant changes in mood or behavior, including confusion, depression, anxiety or unexplained anger.

Can Alzheimer's be treated?

The treatment for Alzheimer's and dementia may vary depending on the type you have. In some cases, doctors may focus on treating the condition that is causing your dementia.

Addressing the treatment options for Alzheimer's disease is a topic of great importance. While there are no medications to halt the progression of dementia directly, according to Kulik, there are ways to approach the underlying problems and mitigate risk factors.

"Although there are a few medications that claim to slow the progression of dementia, none have robust outcomes, and I personally do not have much faith in current, direct medications available," Kulik says.

As such, the focus shifts to treating underlying issues and avoiding risk factors associated with dementia. These risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, according to Alzheimer's Disease International, include:

High blood pressure and hypertension
Air pollution
Head injury
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Physical inactivity
Social isolation
Depression
Diabetes
Less education

Kulik emphasizes that adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in preventing dementia. This includes maintaining good nutrition, refraining from excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, and exercising regularly. Additionally, puzzles, reading or learning new skills can provide protective effects. Furthermore, managing high blood pressure or diabetes through appropriate medications can also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

While there may not be a cure for Alzheimer's, a multifaceted approach focusing on overall well-being and addressing related health concerns offers hope in managing the disease and potentially slowing its progression. Individuals must consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support in navigating the available treatment options.

Can medications treat Alzheimer's?

According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's disease is complex. It is unlikely that any drug or other intervention will ever successfully treat it in all people with the disease. However, Kulik notes, "A few medications that have shown some benefit over the years... However, the long-term, maintained benefit is marginal, at best, so many practitioners do not routinely prescribe these medications."

Living with Alzheimer's is a challenging journey

Living with Alzheimer's disease is a challenging journey, not only for the individuals diagnosed but also for their family members and caregivers. The Alzheimer's Association stresses that some days are better than others, and the experiences and abilities of those with Alzheimer's can fluctuate.

By Jessica Daniels, BDO Staff Writer | Published June 13, 2023