Mhtml:file://c:\users\neurologique\documents\admin\website\adam

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dementia
Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics: A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz
I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 Dementia
Contents of this page:
 When to Contact a Medical Professional Illustrations
Alternative Names Return to top
Chronic brain syndrome; Lewy body dementia; DLB; Vascular dementia Definition Return to top
Dementia is a loss of brain function. It is not a single disease. Instead, dementia refers to a group of illnesses that involve memory, behavior, learning, and communicating problems. The problems are progressive, which means they slowly get worse. Causes Return to top
The two major causes of degenerative (non-reversible) dementia are Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia (loss of brain function due to a series of small strokes). The two conditions often occur together. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a leading cause of degenerative dementia in elderly adults. This condition is linked to abnormal protein structures in certain areas of the brain. The structures and symptoms of DLB are associated with Alzheimer's disease, but it is uncertain whether DLB is a sub-type of Alzheimer's or separate disease. There is no cure for DLB or Alzheimer's.
Conditions that damage blood vessels or nerve structures of the brain can also lead to dementia. Treatable causes of dementia include normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumors, and dementia due to metabolic causes, thyroid conditions, low vitamin B12 levels, and infections.
mhtml:file://C:\Users\Neurologique\Documents\Admin\Website\ADAM\dementia.mht MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dementia Dementia may be diagnosed when a patient has two or more problems in brain function. Problems may involve language, memory, perception, emotional behavior or personality, and cognitive skills (such as calculation, abstract thinking, or judgment). Dementia usually first appears as forgetfulness. Other symptoms may only be seen during a medical exam or with cognitive tests.
Dementia usually occurs in older age. Dementia is rare in people under age 60. The risk for dementia increases as a person gets older. Symptoms Return to top
 Decrease in problem-solving skills and judgment capability  Impaired recognition of familiar objects or persons  Impaired recognition through the senses  Disturbance or change in sleep-wake cycle  Impaired skilled motor function (apraxia)  Inability to reproduce geometric figures  Inability to interpret environmental cues  Specific disorders of problem-solving or learning  Short-term memory problems (can't remember new things)  Long-term memory problems (can't remember past)  Absent or impaired language ability (aphasia)  Inability to speak, without muscle paralysis  Inappropriate speech; use of jargon or wrong words mhtml:file://C:\Users\Neurologique\Documents\Admin\Website\ADAM\dementia.mht MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dementia  Inability to function or interact in social or personal situations  Decreased ability to care for oneself  Decreased interest in daily living activities Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are as follows: Exams and Tests Return to top
The following tests and procedures may be done to determine the severity of dementia and its cause:  Drug or alcohol levels (toxicology screen) Treatment Return to top
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of dementia. Treatment depends on the specific condition causing the dementia. Some people may need to stay in the hospital for a short time. Stopping or changing medications that make confusion worse may improve brain function. Medicines that contribute to confusion include anticholinergics, analgesics (painkillers), cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, and lidocaine. Medical conditions that can lead to confusion should be treated. Such conditions include heart failure, decreased oxygen (hypoxia), thyroid disorders, anemia, nutritional disorders, infections, and psychiatric conditions such as depression. Treatment of co-existing medical and psychiatric disorders often greatly improves a person's mental functioning. Medications may be needed to control behavior problems. Possible medications include:  Serotonin-affecting drugs (trazodone, buspirone)  Dopamine blockers (haloperidol, risperdal, olanzapine, clozapine)  Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), or galantamine (Razadyne, formerly called mhtml:file://C:\Users\Neurologique\Documents\Admin\Website\ADAM\dementia.mht MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dementia  Mood stabilizers such as fluoxetine, imipramine, or Celexa  Stimulants such as methylphenidate to increase activity and spontaneity A person's eyes and ears should be checked regularly. Hearing aids, glasses, or cataract surgery may be needed. Psychotherapy or group therapy usually does not help because it may further confuse a person with dementia. A person with dementia may need monitoring and assistance at home or in an institution. Possible options include in-home care, boarding homes, adult day care, and convalescent homes. Visiting nurses or aides, volunteer services, homemakers, adult protective services, and other community resources may help a family care for a patient with dementia. In some communities, support groups may be available (see elder care - support group). Family counseling can help family members cope with home care. In any care setting, there should be familiar objects and people. Lights can be left on at night to reduce disorientation. The activity schedule should be simple. Behavior modification may help some people to control unacceptable or dangerous behavior. This consists of rewarding appropriate behaviors and ignoring inappropriate ones (within the bounds of safety). Reality orientation, with repeated reinforcement of environmental and other cues, may also help reduce disorientation. Advance directives, power of attorney, and other legal actions may make it easier to decide about the care of the person with dementia. Legal advice should be sought early in the course of the disorder, before the person with dementia is unable to make such decisions. Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
The outcome varies. Dementia usually gets worse and often results in a decreased quality of life and decreased life span. Possible Complications Return to top
Complications depend on the cause of the dementia, but they may include the following:  Loss of ability to function or care for self  Increased infections anywhere in the body  Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
 Call your health care provider if dementia develops or a sudden change in mental status occurs.  Call your health care provider if the condition of a person with dementia gets worse.  Call your health care provider if you are unable to cope with caring for a person with dementia at home. Prevention Return to top
Most causes of dementia are not preventable. The risk of vascular dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes, can be reduced by quitting smoking and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. Eating a low-fat diet and exercising regularly may also reduce the risk of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia may also play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. References Return to top
Alva G. Alzheimer disease and other dementias. Clin Geriatr Med. 2003; 19(4): 763-76. American Academy of Neurology. About Dementia. Neurology. 2004; 63(10); E20.
mhtml:file://C:\Users\Neurologique\Documents\Admin\Website\ADAM\dementia.mht MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dementia Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:283-286. Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 705-708. Update Date: 5/10/2006
Updated by: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services mhtml:file://C:\Users\Neurologique\Documents\Admin\Website\ADAM\dementia.mht

Source: http://neurologique.org/dementia.pdf