By mmLearn.org

Dementia is the general term for a severe decline in mental abilities due to the brain’s physical deterioration. However, not all dementias are the same. While mere decades ago people were still writing off dementia-related behaviors to senility, now researchers have an ever-increasing understanding of the brain, which has allowed them to identify new types of brain disorders. Let’s take a closer look at the four most common forms of dementia.
1. Alzheimer’s Disease

Every 67 seconds, an individual in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is the country’s sixth leading cause of death.
While the precise causes of Alzheimer’s disease are unknown, research indicates that it stems from a mix of hereditary, lifestyle, and environmental factors. According to the Mayo Clinic, a specific genetic change leads to the development of the disease in less than five percent of cases.Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, confusion, trouble communicating, anxiety, and paranoia. While there is no cure, many therapies can improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s. Because of its prevalence, the U.S. government has prioritized Alzheimer’s research and the finding of a cure by 2025.

2. Vascular Dementia

Also referred to as “post-stroke dementia” and “multi-infarct dementia,” vascular dementia claims the second spot on the list of most common types of dementia. According to some estimates, vascular dementia may account for as many as 20 percent of all dementia cases.While vascular dementia occurs when stroke restricts blood flow to the brain, not all people with stroke will develop this type of dementia. Symptoms vary depending on what region of the brain is affected, but may include short-term memory problems, getting lost in familiar areas, inappropriate laughter or crying, difficulty with concentration, money management problems, trouble following instructions, lack of bowel or bladder control, and hallucinations.Vascular dementia shares risk factors for stroke, including smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. And while there’s no treatment for vascular dementia, early diagnosis and behavioral interventions can prevent further damage.3. Lewy Body Demenentia (LBD)

Also called cortical Lewy body disease or diffuse Lewy body disease, LBD affects an estimated 1.4 million people in the U.S. Because the symptoms closely mimic other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, LBD is frequently underdiagnosed.

The third most common cause of dementia, LBD, is caused by the appearance of abnormal proteins in nerve cells which impair and impede normal functioning. Symptoms of LBD include sleep problems, memory loss, hallucinations, and variations in alertness.

While it can take up to two years for symptoms to reach levels where they can be diagnosed, early detection leads to better outcomes. There is no cure, but treatment methods include medication as well as non-medical options, such as physical, speech and occupational therapy.

4. Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD)