Dementia is a significant decline in cognitive function that severely impairs daily life, which distinguishes it from normal age-related cognitive changes. The World Health Organization estimates that over 55 million people globally are affected by dementia.
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
Anthocyanins may reduce inflammation in older adults with higher dementia risk
In this 24-week randomized controlled trial in 99 older adults, supplementing daily with anthocyanins — antioxidants found in berries and colorful fruits — lowered inflammation levels and improved biomarkers of cardiovascular health.
Does supplementation with vitamin D reduce dementia risk?
Probiotics might improve cognitive function in people with cognitive impairment
Drinking green tea might reduce the risk of cognitive impairment
The role of the Mediterranean diet in the risk of cognitive disorders
Frequently asked questions
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?
The main signs and symptoms of dementia include difficulty with daily activities, memory loss, disorientation, mood swings, and depression. As the condition progresses, some individuals may require complete assistance with self-care.
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?
Dementia is diagnosed by ruling out reversible causes through an assessment of medical history and health status. Diagnosis may involve physical examinations, cognitive tests, blood tests, and brain imaging because there is no definitive test for dementia.
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?
Medications for dementia primarily aim to control symptoms; acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists are used to treat cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, whereas other medications like statins and anticoagulants help reduce cardiovascular risks in vascular dementia. Additionally, antidepressants are often prescribed to address depression related to 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?
Several supplements — such as ginkgo biloba, B-vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, oxiracetam, piracetam, and alpha-GPC — have been studied for dementia. However, the evidence is mixed on their effectiveness in improving cognitive function in individuals with 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 suggest that diets like the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND may lower the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether these benefits extend to all types of dementia. More rigorous research is needed before making dietary recommendations for 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, reminiscence therapy, and aerobic and resistance training can help improve daily functioning, cognition, and psychological well-being in people with dementia. These approaches support cognitive function and overall health for individuals who are experiencing memory problems.
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?
Dementia can be caused by various conditions; the most common are neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, rare conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency and Huntington's disease may also lead to dementia or similar symptoms.
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 - 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)
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- 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)
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