Dementia

Dementia is caused by the disruption or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. The affected part of the brain is damaged by injury, stroke, or brain tumors. Majorly different people react differently due to dementia and cause different symptoms.

On the other hand, some neurodegenerative diseases are the reason for dementia as Alzheimer's disease. If there are any reactions of medications and vitamin deficiencies that appear dementia-like symptoms, they can be treated.

What Causes Dementia?

The causes of dementia are categorized into two stages of dementia that is reversible or irreversible dementia. The irreversible cause is a progressive stage of dementia and cannot be treated, but managed only. These causes are further linked with different neurological conditions are given below:

Reversible Dementia

Reversible causes of dementia result from the disruptions of brain cells, particularly in the cerebral cortex (the part of the brain which controls memory, perception, consciousness, and language). This type of dementia can be cured or reversed with proper treatment. Following are the conditions that produce dementia-like symptoms.

• Infections and immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis attacks the nerve cells and cause temporary dementia.
• Metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities like thyroid problems, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), too little or too much sodium or calcium, or problems absorbing vitamin B-12 can produce dementia-like symptoms as well as other personality changes.
• Nutritional deficiencies are another factor that may develop dementia. For example dehydration, thiamin (vitamin B-1), vitamins B-6 and B-12, copper and vitamin E deficiencies.
• Medication adverse effects also develop dementia-like symptoms
• Subdural hematomas refer to the bleeding between the surface of the brain and the covering over the brain. It is more likely to occur in elderly patients.
• Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, and other poisons, such as pesticides, as well as recreational drug or heavy alcohol use, can lead to symptoms of dementia.
• Brain tumours rarely cause dementia from the damage of nerve cells.
• Anoxia is a condition in which insufficient oxygen transfers to the brain tissues or organs which ultimately causes the symptoms of dementia.
• Normal-pressure hydrocephalus begins due to the enlargement of ventricles in the brain. This can also cause walking problems, urinary difficulty and memory loss.

Irreversible Dementia

In this type, symptoms of dementia are not reversed due to genetic alterations. There is no treatment for this, but only manageable measures are used to improve the conditions. Which, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of irreversible dementia caused by gene mutations in the brain. But other genetic factors tend to produce various kinds of dementia.

Vascular Dementia- Vascular dementia is caused by damaged blood vessels in the brain. These vessels cause damage due to the deposition of fats on the walls of the brain, damage of fiber in the white matter of the brain or strokes, etc.

The main signs of vascular dementia include difficulties with problem-solving, slowed thinking, focus, and organization. Other symptoms are slurred speech, decreased cognitive abilities, confusion, etc. It can develop due to a wide range of conditions, but the most common cause of this type is Alzheimer's disease.

Lewy-Body Dementia- This type shows its effects when abnormal balloonlike clumps of protein accumulate in the brain. It is one of the common types of progressive dementia in which Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are also the main causes of it.

The most Common signs and symptoms include:

• Sleeping hallucinations
• Visual hallucinations
• Problems with focus and attention
• The uncoordinated or slow movement
• Tremors and rigidity (parkinsonism)

Other Causes of Dementia

Frontotemporal Dementia- This condition is caused by the breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.  These areas are generally linked with personality, behavior, and language. Due to this, it produces difficulty in behavior, personality, thinking, judgment, language, and movement.

Mixed Dementia- This is caused by more than one type of dementia such as a combination of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. It mostly affects people over the age of 80 years.

Almost 5% of dementia is caused by other neurological diseases, such as HIV infection, progressive supranuclear palsy, or alcohol-related brain damage. These diseases are more likely to produce dementia in younger individuals.