Dementia Summary Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there. Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. However, memory loss by itself does not mean you have dementia. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Although dementia is common in very elderly people, it is not part of normal aging. Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Drugs are available to treat some of these diseases. While these drugs cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage, they may improve symptoms or slow down the disease. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute on Aging Reference Desk Alzheimer’s: Glossary Alzheimer’s Association Find an Expert American Geriatrics Society American Geriatrics Society Family Care Navigator: State-by-State Help for Family Caregivers Family Caregiver Alliance Find a Neurologist American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute on Aging National Institute on Aging Diagnosis and Tests ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping American Association for Clinical Chemistry Brain Autopsy Association for Frontotemporal Dementias Dementia: Diagnosis and Tests AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Frontotemporal Dementias: Diagnosis Association for Frontotemporal Dementias Frontotemporal Disorders: Diagnosis National Institute on Aging Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Tau/Amyloid Beta 42 Peptide Test (Alzheimer Biomarkers) American Association for Clinical Chemistry Specifics Basics of Frontotemporal Disorders National Institute on Aging Binswanger’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke CADASIL National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick’s Disease) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Klüver-Bucy Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Mixed Dementia Alzheimer’s Association Multi-Infarct Dementia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Other Dementias National Institute on Aging Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Alzheimer’s Association Types of Dementia Alzheimer’s Association Types of Frontotemporal Disorders National Institute on Aging Vascular Dementia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Prevention and Risk Factors Brain Health Alzheimer’s Association Medicare Update: Annual Wellness Visit Alzheimer’s Association Encyclopedia Brain PET scan Dementia – home care Dementia – what to ask your doctor Multi-infarct dementia Organic brain syndrome Pick disease Statistics and Research Burden of Dementia National Institute on Aging Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementia Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mild Cognitive Impairment and Progession to Dementia: New Findings American Academy of Neurology Related Issues Caring for a Person with a Frontotemporal Disorder National Institute on Aging Dementia & Driving Family Caregiver Alliance Dementia at the End of Life National Institute on Aging Frontotemporal Disorders: Causes National Institute on Aging Legal Plans: Assisting the Person with Dementia in Planning for the Future Alzheimer’s Association Nervous System Problems and Dementia New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center Ovary Removal: A Risk Factor for Dementia? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sexuality and Dementia Family Caregiver Alliance Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What to Ask: Dementia AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Dementia National Institutes of Health Start Here Dealing with Dementia National Institutes of Health Dementia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Dementia American Academy of Family Physicians Dementia (Including Alzheimer Disease) (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Dementia: Hope through Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help National Institute on Aging Living With Dealing with Oppositional Behaviors Association for Frontotemporal Dementias Dementia, Caregiving, and Controlling Frustration Family Caregiver Alliance Planning for the Future After a Diagnosis of Dementia American Academy of Family Physicians Array Dementia Dementia – behavior and sleep problems Dementia – daily care Dementia – keeping safe in the home Dementia and driving Dementia due to metabolic causes Mental status testing Seniors Dementia: Unique to Older Adults AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Genetics Frontotemporal Dementia: Genetics Association for Frontotemporal Dementias Genetics Home Reference: adult polyglucosan body disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: CHMP2B-related frontotemporal dementia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism-17 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: GRN-related frontotemporal dementia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IE National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: inclusion body myopathy with early-onset Paget disease and frontotemporal dementia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Kufs disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers National Library of Medicine Symptoms Frontotemporal Disorders: Common Symptoms National Institute on Aging Treatments and Therapies Frontotemporal Disorders: Treatment and Management National Institute on Aging Medications for Memory Loss Alzheimer’s Association Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Complementary Health Practices for Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Videos and Tutorials Making a Memory Book National Institute on Aging Journal Articles Dementia Latest News Research Offers Clues to Dementia with Language Loss HealthDay Severe Depression Linked to Dementia in Seniors HealthDay Delays in Spotting Dementia Can Bring Dangers HealthDay Is Seniors’ Dental Health Tied to Mental Health? HealthDay Why Pleasant Mealtimes Could Be Key to Alzheimer’s Care HealthDay Hearing Aids May Help Keep Seniors’ Minds Sharp HealthDay Widely Used Heart Drug Tied to Dementia Risk HealthDay Seniors’ Worsening Depression May Sometimes Predict Dementia HealthDay
