What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a decline in cognitive function that impairs a person's ability to function in daily life. Some cognitive decline is normal with aging. However, it is quite subtle, like misplacing keys. But the cognitive decline associated with dementia is severe. For instance, a person with dementia may forget the names of their loved ones. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia.[1]
What are the main signs and symptoms of dementia?
People with dementia may experience the following symptoms:
- Inability to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating, or getting dressed
- Forgetting the names of friends and family
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Difficulty walking
- Mood swings
- Depression
People with dementia may become disoriented and wander away from home as their condition worsens. In severe cases, they may require complete assistance in caring for themselves.
How is dementia diagnosed?
There is no definitive test for dementia. To make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider must first rule out reversible causes of dementia based on assessing a person’s medical history and overall health status. Physical examinations, cognitive tests, blood tests, and brain imaging may all be used to make the diagnosis.
What are some of the main medical treatments for dementia?
For most types of dementia, medications are prescribed to control symptoms. For example, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid (NMDA) antagonists treat cognitive symptoms in people with Alzheimer's Disease, but they do not slow the progression of the disease. Statins, antithrombotics, anticoagulants, and blood pressure medications may be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., strokes or heart attacks) in people with vascular dementia (a form of dementia caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain). Furthermore, antidepressants are also commonly prescribed to treat depression associated with dementia.[2][3]
Have any supplements been studied for dementia?
Numerous supplements, including ginkgo biloba, B-vitamins (namely folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B1), vitamin D, vitamin E, oxiracetam, piracetam, and alpha-GPC, to name a few, have all been studied for dementia. However, there is mixed evidence regarding their efficacy in enhancing cognitive function in people with dementia.
How could diet affect dementia?
Observational studies have found that diets such as the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there isn’t enough evidence to say whether this benefit applies to all types of dementia.[4] Since most research has been observational, more robust evidence is needed before any dietary recommendations for dementia can be made.
Are there any other treatments for dementia?
Mentally stimulating activities such as reading or playing board games can help people with dementia maintain daily functioning and cognition. Reminiscence therapy, a form of psychotherapy that involves recalling old memories and life events, can help improve psychological well-being for people experiencing memory problems related to dementia. Furthermore, aerobic and resistance training can help improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s Disease.[2]
What causes dementia?
There is no one cause of dementia. Many different conditions can cause dementia. The most common causes of dementia are neurodegenerative diseases, such as[5]:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Parkinson’s disease
- Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Although rare, other conditions may also cause dementia or similar symptoms. Some examples include[6][5]:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Pellagra
Research FeedRead all studies
Frequently asked questions
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a decline in cognitive function that impairs a person's ability to function in daily life. Some cognitive decline is normal with aging. However, it is quite subtle, like misplacing keys. But the cognitive decline associated with dementia is severe. For instance, a person with dementia may forget the names of their loved ones. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia.[1]
People with dementia may experience the following symptoms:
- Inability to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating, or getting dressed
- Forgetting the names of friends and family
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Difficulty walking
- Mood swings
- Depression
People with dementia may become disoriented and wander away from home as their condition worsens. In severe cases, they may require complete assistance in caring for themselves.
There is no definitive test for dementia. To make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider must first rule out reversible causes of dementia based on assessing a person’s medical history and overall health status. Physical examinations, cognitive tests, blood tests, and brain imaging may all be used to make the diagnosis.
For most types of dementia, medications are prescribed to control symptoms. For example, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid (NMDA) antagonists treat cognitive symptoms in people with Alzheimer's Disease, but they do not slow the progression of the disease. Statins, antithrombotics, anticoagulants, and blood pressure medications may be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., strokes or heart attacks) in people with vascular dementia (a form of dementia caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain). Furthermore, antidepressants are also commonly prescribed to treat depression associated with dementia.[2][3]
Numerous supplements, including ginkgo biloba, B-vitamins (namely folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B1), vitamin D, vitamin E, oxiracetam, piracetam, and alpha-GPC, to name a few, have all been studied for dementia. However, there is mixed evidence regarding their efficacy in enhancing cognitive function in people with dementia.
Observational studies have found that diets such as the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there isn’t enough evidence to say whether this benefit applies to all types of dementia.[4] Since most research has been observational, more robust evidence is needed before any dietary recommendations for dementia can be made.
Mentally stimulating activities such as reading or playing board games can help people with dementia maintain daily functioning and cognition. Reminiscence therapy, a form of psychotherapy that involves recalling old memories and life events, can help improve psychological well-being for people experiencing memory problems related to dementia. Furthermore, aerobic and resistance training can help improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s Disease.[2]
There is no one cause of dementia. Many different conditions can cause dementia. The most common causes of dementia are neurodegenerative diseases, such as[5]:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Parkinson’s disease
- Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Although rare, other conditions may also cause dementia or similar symptoms. Some examples include[6][5]:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Pellagra
References
Examine Database References
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- Cognitive Decline - Waegemans T, Wilsher CR, Danniau A, Ferris SH, Kurz A, Winblad BClinical efficacy of piracetam in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysisDement Geriatr Cogn Disord.(2002)
- Cognition - Chiu S, Gericke N, Farina-Woodbury M, Badmaev V, Raheb H, Terpstra K, Antongiorgi J, Bureau Y, Cernovsky Z, Hou J, Sanchez V, Williams M, Copen J, Husni M, Goble LProof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Cognition Effects of the Proprietary Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) Targeting Phosphodiesterase-4 in Cognitively Healthy Subjects: Implications for Alzheimer's DementiaEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2014)
- Cognition - Luo G, Zhang J, Song Z, Wang Y, Wang X, Qu H, Wang F, Liu C, Gao FEffectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies on cognitive function in patients with dementia-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Aging Neurosci.(2023)
- Cognitive Decline - Engel RR, Satzger W, Günther W, Kathmann N, Bove D, Gerke S, Münch U, Hippius HDouble-blind cross-over study of phosphatidylserine vs. placebo in patients with early dementia of the Alzheimer typeEur Neuropsychopharmacol.(1992 Jun)
- Cognitive Decline - Alvarez XA, Pichel V, Pérez P, Laredo M, Corzo D, Zas R, Fernández-Novoa L, Sempere JM, Díaz J, Cacabelos RDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study with anapsos in senile dementia: effects on cognition, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral hemodynamicsMethods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol.(2000 Sep)
- Cognitive Decline - Maina G, Fiori L, Torta R, Fagiani MB, Ravizza L, Bonavita E, Ghiazza B, Teruzzi F, Zagnoni PG, Ferrario E, et alOxiracetam in the treatment of primary degenerative and multi-infarct dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyNeuropsychobiology.(1989)
- Cognitive Decline - B Baumel, L Eisner, M Karukin, R MacNamara, R J Katz, J Deveaugh-GeissOxiracetam in the treatment of multi-infarct dementiaProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(1989)
- Cognitive Decline - Bottini G, Vallar G, Cappa S, Monza GC, Scarpini E, Baron P, Cheldi A, Scarlato GOxiracetam in dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyActa Neurol Scand.(1992 Sep)
- Cognitive Decline - Dysken MW, Katz R, Stallone F, Kuskowski MOxiracetam in the treatment of multi-infarct dementia and primary degenerative dementiaJ Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci.(1989 Summer)
- Cognitive Decline - Napryeyenko O, Borzenko I; GINDEM-NP Study GroupGinkgo biloba special extract in dementia with neuropsychiatric features. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trialArzneimittelforschung.(2007)
- Cognitive Decline - Herrschaft H, Nacu A, Likhachev S, Sholomov I, Hoerr R, Schlaefke SGinkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of a daily dose of 240 mgJ Psychiatr Res.(2012 Jun)
- Cognitive Decline - Kanowski S, Herrmann WM, Stephan K, Wierich W, Hörr RProof of efficacy of the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementiaPharmacopsychiatry.(1996 Mar)
- Cognitive Decline - Zhang SJ, Xue ZYEffect of Western medicine therapy assisted by Ginkgo biloba tablet on vascular cognitive impairment of none dementiaAsian Pac J Trop Med.(2012 Aug)
- Cognitive Decline - Le Bars PL, Katz MM, Berman N, Itil TM, Freedman AM, Schatzberg AFA placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group.JAMA.(1997)
- Alzheimer's Disease Risk - DeKosky ST, Williamson JD, Fitzpatrick AL, Kronmal RA, Ives DG, Saxton JA, Lopez OL, Burke G, Carlson MC, Fried LP, Kuller LH, Robbins JA, Tracy RP, Woolard NF, Dunn L, Snitz BE, Nahin RL, Furberg CD; Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study InvestigatorsGinkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2008 Nov 19)
- Cognitive Decline - De Jesus Moreno Moreno MCognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialClin Ther.(2003 Jan)
- Dementia Symptoms - Lott IT, Doran E, Nguyen VQ, Tournay A, Head E, Gillen DLDown syndrome and dementia: a randomized, controlled trial of antioxidant supplementationAm J Med Genet A.(2011 Aug)