Dementia is a broad term used to describe a variety of symptoms, including impairment in memory, reasoning and judgement, and deterioration in communication skills. When someone has dementia, the brain becomes damaged as cells die at a faster rate than they normally do - there are many causes why this damage occurs. People with dementia often become confused and at times frustrated as familiar and day-to-day tasks become more difficult to perform.
Dementia is more common amongst older people, but can also affect younger people, even those in their thirties. The prevalence of dementia varies greatly by age and by gender: its extremes are from people aged 30 – 64 (of whom 0.06% are estimated to have dementia), to the female population over 90 (of whom 34.1% are estimated to have dementia). In East Dunbartonshire (2010) it is estimated that 1550 people have a diagnosis of dementia.
Can dementia be inherited?
This can depend on the form of dementia, however; the vast majority of cases of dementia are not caused by an inherited genetic fault. Dementia is so common that having one or two close relatives with dementia in is not in itself evidence of a family link.
How does dementia progress?
Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually worsen, with the time this takes varying enormously from person to person. Some people remain the same for years, while others may lose some skills and ability more quickly.
- Alzheimer's-disease, where small clumps of protein, known as plaques, begin to develop around brain cells. This disrupts the normal workings of the brain. This is the most common type of dementia and it is estimated that of all people in Scotland that have a dementia, 55% have Alzheimer's.
- Vascular dementia, where problems with blood circulation result in parts of the brain not receiving enough blood and oxygen.
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies, where abnormal structures, known as Lewy bodies, develop inside the brain.
- Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) - Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis are particular forms of alcohol related brain injury which may be related to alcohol related dementia.
- For an A-Z of less common or rarer types of dementia, please visit the Alzheimer Europe website.
There are a range of treatments available that can help with dementia symptoms. In the vast majority of cases they cannot cure it, but some people find their symptoms progress less quickly for a while and make the dementia easier to live with. A very important part of treatment is good quality support and care for the person with dementia, and for those who care for them.
