Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

What is Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease?

Both Alzheimer's disease and dementia are classified as neurological conditions. However, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same thing. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of many causes of dementia. Our compassionate, experienced health care professionals are dedicated to providing you the specific care you need to navigate these conditions.

Dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms that cause changes in brain functions over time – usually memory loss, changes in behavior, trouble communicating, etc. There are several illnesses that can cause dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It’s a progressive disease, meaning symptoms usually worsen over time, which causes the brain cells to degenerate and eventually die.  The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, but it’s generally believed that it’s caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors over time.

While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease right now, some of the other causes of dementia are treatable. And, if caught early enough, the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease can be slowed, and patients can maintain their quality of life for longer.

AHN Memory Disorders Program

The AHN Memory Disorders Program is a part of AHN Neuroscience and focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting memory and cognitive function, such as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This program and our dedicated team provide comprehensive, personalized treatment plans that addresses other dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive disorders, including those resulting from traumatic brain injury.

Why choose AHN for your dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease effects not only patients in profound ways, but also their families and care takers. At AHN, we understand the challenges and issues that many experience when navigating a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We see you, and are here to provide you with novel therapies, care, and support. Patients and families choose AHN for our:

• Cognitive and neurological expertise: Our specialists are nationally recognized for their deep understanding and expertise in cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. For decades, our programs have supported countless patients in managing symptoms, preserving cognitive function, and maintaining quality of life as they work through the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Integrated team approach: At AHN, our teams collaborate closely with one another so you can experience multidisciplinary care that coordinates different specialties. Neurologists, geriatric specialists, occupational and physical therapists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals often make up team that addresses all your needs — from cognitive support to daily living assistance — in a coordinated and holistic manner.
• Advanced therapeutic options: We provide access to a spectrum of cutting-edge therapies and interventions, including promising new medications. Our commitment to innovation means our patients can explore a wider range of options to potentially slow progression or manage symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Seamless care coordination: Dedicated care navigators guide you through your treatment, so you can access necessary care and support services efficiently. For therapies that require ongoing monitoring or specialized administration, our caring professionals provide in-home or clinic-based support to ensure continuity of care.
• Comprehensive support services: Our mental health specialists offer vital counseling and support for patients and their families, helping them develop effective coping strategies for the emotional and practical challenges of dementia. We also connect families with resources for adapting living environments and provide education to enhance understanding and caregiving skills.

Quick guide to Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease symptoms and signs

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease screening and diagnosis

Types and stages of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease treatment

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease FAQs

Contact us

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease symptoms and signs

Most people know that both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are associated with memory loss. But what many don’t realize that one of the most common early warning signs is depression. People may notice symptoms of depression long before they or others perceive a noticeable lapse in memory or other cognitive abilities, such as:

• Cognitive decline: This refers to a general and noticeable worsening in mental abilities like memory, thinking, and reasoning over time.
• Cognitive impairment: This is a broader term indicating that someone is having trouble with one or more cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, or problem-solving, but it might not be severe enough to significantly impact daily life.
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): This is a stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia, where individuals experience subtle but measurable changes in memory or thinking that don't yet interfere with everyday activities.

One aspect that often surprises people about memory loss due to neurological disorders is its selective nature. Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can frequently recall vivid details from their childhoods or events from many years ago with perfect clarity. This is because these diseases tend to primarily affect the brain’s ability to form and retrieve new memories. So, it's not uncommon for someone suffering from dementia to vividly recount their first-grade class while struggling to remember what they had for dinner the night before with a loved one. Beyond memory, dementia can also present with a range of other symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Apathy (lack of interest or emotion)
• Noticeable changes in personality and judgment
• Confusion about events, time, and specific places
• Delusions (false beliefs that are not based in reality)
• Increased irritability or aggressiveness
• Social withdrawal or isolation

These symptoms can cause distress for everyone involved. At AHN, we understand this and meet you with care and compassion to help guide you through treatment.

Causes and risk factors

Dementia is not a specific disease itself, but rather a set of symptoms that result from damage to brain cells. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, representing a specific condition where abnormal proteins (plaques and tangles) build up in the brain, damaging cells and disrupting communication. Other causes of dementia include:

• Vascular dementia: Damage to blood vessels that supply the brain, often from conditions like stroke.
• Lewy body dementia: Abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) that affect brain function.
• Frontotemporal dementia: Progressive nerve cell loss in areas of the brain controlling personality, behavior, and language.

Sometimes, dementia-like symptoms can also be caused by treatable conditions like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, or medication side effects.

While the exact reasons why some people develop dementia and others don't are still being understood, we do know about several factors that can increase risk. Some factors we can't change, but many others relate to our health and lifestyle, offering opportunities to support brain health. Factors you cannot change that can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia include:

• Age: The greatest risk factor; the likelihood increases with age, especially after 65.
• Genetics/family history: A family history of Alzheimer's or other dementias can increase your risk, and specific genes are sometimes involved.
• Sex: Women appear to have a slightly higher risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Factors you can influence or manage:

• Heart and blood vessel health: Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking significantly increase risk. Managing these is crucial for brain health.
• Head trauma: A history of moderate or severe head injury can be a risk factor.
• Lifestyle choices: Eating a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining social connections, and keeping your mind active can all contribute to reducing risk.
• Sleep quality: Addressing sleep problems is increasingly recognized as important for brain health.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease screening and diagnosis

Determining what’s causing dementia symptoms is an important first step. For starters, certain illnesses like a vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, and untreated sleep apnea can masquerade as Alzheimer’s disease by causing cognitive impairment — and that cognitive deficits caused by some conditions may be reversible.

Some people avoid seeking a dementia diagnosis or Alzheimer's diagnosis because, since there’s currently no cure, they might think there’s nothing that can be done. However, this is not true. At AHN, we meet every patient and family with profound care and compassion, because we understand the journey can be challenging. While a cure is still being sought, there are multiple Alzheimer's treatment options and strategies that may help manage symptoms, slow the progression of some dementias, reduce risks for complications, and significantly support day-to-day life and well-being.

Our team works with patients and families to consider every appropriate option, helping to maintain independence and quality of life for as long as possible. Also, dementia can exacerbate other illnesses. For example, it can cause people with heart problems or diabetes to forget to take their medication. People get lost and confused and can get injured. Our AHN dementia and Alzheimer’s disease specialists can help you identify and manage these risks through careful cognitive assessment and ongoing support.

Neuropsychological evaluation

Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may require evaluation by a neurologist to rule out treatable causes of cognitive impairment and look for other neurological disorders that can cause dementia. A neuropsychological evaluation is often a crucial step, useful in clarifying the cause of the dementia and a patient's specific level of functioning and areas of strength. This type of cognitive testing frequently takes about 3-4 hours and tests things like:

• Memory
• Attention span
• Non-verbal abilities
• Language
• Reasoning
• Motor and thinking speed

Amyloid testing and imaging

For individuals suspected of having Alzheimer's disease, advanced diagnostic tools like amyloid testing and imaging can provide crucial insights. Amyloid testing specifically looks for the presence of amyloid plaques – abnormal protein deposits in the brain that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's. This can involve:

• PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scans: These specialized brain scans use a radioactive tracer that binds to amyloid plaques, allowing doctors to visualize their presence and distribution in the living brain. This can significantly aid in an Alzheimer's diagnosis, especially in ambiguous cases or when considering Alzheimer's treatment that targets amyloid.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis: A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) can be performed to collect CSF, which is then tested for levels of beta-amyloid and tau proteins. Abnormal levels can indicate the presence of Alzheimer's pathology in the brain.

These advanced diagnostic methods, used in conjunction with cognitive assessment and neuropsychological testing, help our specialists achieve a more precise Alzheimer's diagnosis, guide Alzheimer's treatment options, and inform discussions about Alzheimer's medications and prognosis.

Types and stages of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

It’s important to remember that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are NOT normal parts of aging. They are illnesses that should be addressed. You do not have to wait until symptoms become severe to ask for help. At AHN, we believe in proactive care and compassionately evaluate changes early, allowing us to recommend monitoring, treatment, and support tailored to each person’s unique needs and circumstances.

There are several types of dementia. The only way to tell which kind you or a loved one may be suffering from is to talk with a doctor and receive a proper diagnosis. These types include:

• Vascular dementia: This type of dementia results from damage to the blood vessels that supply the brain, often caused by strokes or conditions that impair blood flow, leading to specific areas of the brain being deprived of oxygen and nutrients.
• Frontotemporal dementia: This condition causes progressive damage to the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, leading to pronounced changes in personality, behavior, and language abilities.
• Lewy body dementia: Characterized by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies that develop in the brain, this type of dementia can cause fluctuations in alertness, visual hallucinations, and movement problems similar to Parkinson's disease.
• Mixed dementia: This occurs when a person has more than one type of dementia simultaneously, most commonly a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal infectious proteins called prions, leading to rapid brain damage.
• Early onset Alzheimer's: This refers to cases where Alzheimer’s disease begins to affect individuals before the age of 65, sometimes as early as their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
• Young onset Alzheimer's: This term is often used interchangeably with Early-Onset Alzheimer's, emphasizing that the disease is affecting individuals at a younger age than typically expected.
• Parkinson's disease: This is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement, but can also lead to dementia as the disease advances. Learn more about Parkinson’s disease.
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): A progressive degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive head trauma, particularly common in athletes involved in contact sports.

Additionally, it's important to understand the concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which represents a stage between normal age-related memory decline and more severe dementia. People with MCI may have problems with memory loss, language, thinking, or judgment that are noticeable but not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life. Monitoring MCI is crucial as it can sometimes progress to Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease treatment

Once a dementia diagnosis or Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made, it's natural to wonder about what comes next. While there isn't yet a cure for most forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, a range of effective strategies and dementia treatment options are available to manage symptoms, support well-being, and potentially slow disease progression. You are not alone in this journey. Our compassionate team at AHN will walk you through all your options, focusing on personalized Dementia care and Alzheimer’s care that supports both the individual and their family.

Our comprehensive approach to dementia treatment may include prescription dementia medications, innovative Alzheimer’s treatment options, lifestyle adjustments like diet and exercise routines, and ongoing support services. Even with cognitive decline, much can be done to enhance quality of life and manage daily challenges.

In some specific cases, particularly for certain neurological conditions that may present with dementia-like symptoms (such as Parkinson's disease), advanced therapies like deep brain stimulation (DBS) might be considered. While not a direct Alzheimer’s treatment or dementia treatment for all forms, it's an example of the cutting-edge approaches we explore for appropriate candidates.

Dementia and Alzheimer's medications

AHN is committed to using newer therapies for Alzheimer's disease that show promise and create new opportunities for treatment.  There are newly  newly approved medications that aim to slow the progression of the disease by targeting the underlying pathology, such as amyloid plaques.  Anti-amyloid antibodies are drugs aim to reduce amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Examples include:

• Lecanemab (Leqembi)¹: This drug has received accelerated approval and aims to reduce amyloid plaques, showing potential to slow cognitive and functional decline in early Alzheimer's disease.
• Donanemab²: Another anti-amyloid antibody that has shown similar results in clinical trials. These medications are typically administered intravenously and require careful monitoring for side effects, such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA).

Other medications for treating dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may include:

• Antidepressants: These medications help manage symptoms of depression, which is a common early sign and complication of dementia, improving mood and overall well-being.
• Anxiolytics: Used to alleviate anxiety and agitation, providing relief for individuals experiencing emotional distress related to their cognitive impairment.
• Antipsychotics: Prescribed to manage severe behavioral symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or aggression when other approaches have not been effective, particularly in certain types of dementia.
• Sleep medications: These can help regulate sleep patterns and address insomnia or other sleep disturbances, which are common in dementia and can exacerbate other symptoms.

The choice of dementia medications and Alzheimer’s medications depends on the specific diagnosis, the stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, and potential side effects. Our specialists carefully consider all factors to recommend the most appropriate Alzheimer’s treatment plan for each individual.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease FAQs

Your AHN care team is committed to helping you get the answers you need about a dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis. They understand the complexities of these conditions and how important it is to support the patient and their support system. Having the right information can help patients and their families feel more confident in their care and treatment plan.

What is the difference between dementia versus Alzheimer's?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It’s a syndrome with many causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common specific cause of dementia. So, while all Alzheimer’s disease is dementia, not all dementia is Alzheimer's. Both conditions involve significant cognitive decline.

What causes dementia?

Dementia results from damage to brain cells, which can have various causes. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease. Other significant causes include Vascular dementia (due to impaired blood flow), Lewy body dementia (from abnormal protein deposits), and Frontotemporal dementia (affecting specific brain lobes). Sometimes, dementia-like symptoms can even be caused by treatable conditions.

What causes Alzheimer's?

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is complex, but it's characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins — amyloid plaques and tau tangles — in the brain. These plaques and tangles disrupt communication between brain cells, leading to their damage and death. Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors are all believed to play a role in developing Alzheimer's.

Is dementia hereditary?

For most types of dementia, including the most common forms, hereditary factors play a relatively small role. However, a family history can slightly increase risk. In rare cases, certain genetic mutations can directly cause specific types of dementia to develop, often at an earlier age.

Is Alzheimer's hereditary?

Most cases of Alzheimer’s disease are not directly inherited. However, having a close relative with Alzheimer’s can increase your risk. Rare genetic mutations can cause Early-Onset Alzheimer’s or Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, which are typically inherited and can appear before age 65. For the vast majority of people, Alzheimer's is influenced by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

How is dementia diagnosed?

A dementia diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation. This typically includes a medical history, neurological exam, cognitive assessment, and often specialized cognitive testing like a neuropsychological testing. Blood tests and brain imaging are also common to rule out other conditions and identify specific types of dementia.

How is Alzheimer's diagnosed?

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis involves a detailed process similar to diagnosing other dementias. It includes a thorough medical history, physical and neurological exams, and neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive impairment. Brain imaging and sometimes specialized amyloid testing (PET scans or CSF analysis) are used to confirm the presence of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, especially in early stages.

Can dementia be treated?

While there's generally no cure for dementia, there are many effective dementia treatment options available to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and sometimes slow progression. Our comprehensive Dementia care includes prescription dementia medications, lifestyle adjustments, and supportive therapies tailored to individual needs.

Can Alzheimer's be treated?

While a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is still being sought, there are multiple Alzheimer’s treatment options that can significantly help. These include Alzheimer’s medications designed to manage symptoms and, more recently, newer therapies that aim to slow disease progression by targeting underlying causes like amyloid plaques. Our comprehensive Alzheimer’s care focuses on personalized treatment plans to support individuals and families.

Contact us

If you believe that you or a loved one may be showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it’s always a good idea to talk to your PCP first. They can rule out some of the other causes of dementia or recommend a specialist for further evaluation. Find a doctor near you.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about AHN neurology services, call 412-578-3925.