The National Institutes of Health reports that incidences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia increased by roughly 148 percent between 1990 and 2019. By 2020, more than 55 million people across the globe were living with dementia, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). ADI adds that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for as many as 75 percent of all cases worldwide.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is perhaps the most widely recognized form of dementia. But even those who are familiar with AD may not know the answers to common questions about it.
Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia One and the Same?No. Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a various conditions that the National Institute on Aging notes affect a person’s ability to think, reason and remember. AD is merely one type of dementia, and additional forms of the condition include Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia.
What Distinguishes Alzheimer’s Disease from Other Forms
of Dementia?The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles reports that Alzheimer’s is characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association® notes AD affects the part of the brain associated with learning first, so individuals with the condition often exhibit difficulty remembering in the early stages of the disease.
Are There Other Early Signs of AD?The NIA notes there are some additional early signs of AD, but also points out that different people exhibit different early signs of the disease. Some early signs may include:
- Decline in ability to find the right words
- Vision/spatial issues
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): The NIA notes that signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to appointments or other events, and struggling to come up with words compared to people in the same age group. The presence of MCI does not necessarily mean a person will develop Alzheimer’s, and certain conditions, including stroke, can increase risk for MCI.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?The causes of Alzheimer’s remain a mystery, though research is ongoing and medical professionals have connected some dots. For example, the NIA notes that the presence of the genetic condition Down syndrome increases a person’s risk of developing AD. That supports the notion that some cases of AD are caused by a genetic component, which scientists believe may also explain cases of early-onset dementia. The NIA notes that research also indicates late-onset Alzheimer’s, which is typically diagnosed in individuals in their mid-60s, is linked to age-related changes in the brain that occur over several decades.
Is There a Cure for
Alzheimer’s Disease?No. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and the NIA notes that no scientific evidence exists to support claims that various supplements or products like coconut oil can cure or delay the onset of AD.
Tens of millions of people across the globe are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Finding answers to common questions about the disease can help individuals and their families manage AD more effectively.