Senile dementia

Alzheimer's drugs might be one strategy to help slow or manage memory loss, thinking and reasoning problems, and day-to-day function. While Alzheimer's drugs don't cure the disease, they can improve quality of life and help prolong independence. There are two types of medications approved to treat Alzheimer's: those that can temporarily ease some symptoms, and those that can slow the progression of the disease. Medications don't work for everyone, and they may lose effectiveness over time. They tend to be most effective for people with early to moderate Alzheimer's. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved different types of drugs specifically to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. • Cholinesterase inhibitors • Memantine These drugs: • Are approved for specific Alzheimer's stages. These stages — mild, moderate and severe — are based on scores on tests that assess memory, awareness of time and place, and thinking and reasoning. Doctors might, however, prescribe Alzheimer's drugs for stages other than those for which the FDA has approved them. Alzheimer's stages aren't exact, individual responses to drugs vary and treatment options are limited. If your doctor prescribes medication as part of your Alzheimer's care plan, make sure you understand the drug's potential benefits and risks for your situation. • Are not approved for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This condition, which involves subtle changes in memory and thinking, can be a transitional stage between...

Overview Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language. In frontotemporal dementia, portions of these lobes shrink (atrophy). Signs and symptoms vary, depending on which part of the brain is affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia have dramatic changes in their personalities and become socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use language properly. Frontotemporal dementia can be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem or as Alzheimer's disease. But frontotemporal dementia tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer's disease. Frontotemporal dementia often begins between the ages of 40 and 65 but occurs later in life as well. FTD is the cause of approximately 10% to 20% of dementia cases. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can be different from one individual to the next. Signs and symptoms get progressively worse over time, usually over years. Clusters of symptom types tend to occur together, and people may have more than one cluster of symptom types. Behavioral changes The most common signs of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. These include: • Increasingly inappropriate social behavior • Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills, such as having sensitiv...

August 27, 2010 What is Senile or Senile Dementia? Senile also known as Senile dementia is the mental deterioration (loss of intellectual ability) that is associated with or the characteristics of old age. Two major types of senile dementia are identified as: those due to generalized “atrophy” (Alzheimer’s-type dementia) and those due to vascular problems (mainly, strokes). Senile dementia is often used when referring to Alzheimer’s disease. What is Senility? Senility, which is now more commonly referred to as dementia, is characterized by a decrease in cognitive abilities or mental decline. This may include the person’s inability to concentrate, to recall information, and to properly judge a situation. Senility is a deterioration of body and mind associated with advanced aging. Indications of old age vary in the time of their appearance. What are the symptoms of Senility? Senility symptoms are many of the physical changes associated with old age: • Stooped posture • Wrinkled skin • Decrease in muscle strength • Changes in the lens and muscles of the eye • Brittleness of bone and stiffness of the joints • Hardening of the arteries There are also mental changes associated with senility: • Impaired judgment • Loss of memory • Sometimes childish behavior The actual psychological changes are thought to be related to aging of the cortical brain cells. Whereas the physical changes associated with aging occur in all individuals to some extent, evidence of psychological degenerati...

Blood and imaging tests can rule out other potential causes of the symptoms. Or they may help your health care provider better identify the disease causing dementia symptoms. In the past, Alzheimer's disease was diagnosed for certain only after death when looking at the brain with a microscope revealed plaques and tangles. Health care providers and researchers are now able to diagnose Alzheimer's disease during life with more certainty. Biomarkers can detect the presence of plaques and tangles. Biomarker tests include specific types of PET scans and tests that measure amyloid and tau proteins in the fluid part of blood and cerebral spinal fluid. Tests Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease would likely include the following tests: Physical and neurological exam A health care provider will perform a physical exam. A neurological exam may include testing: • Reflexes. • Muscle tone and strength. • Ability to get up from a chair and walk across the room. • Sense of sight and hearing. • Coordination. • Balance. Lab tests Blood tests may help rule out other potential causes of memory loss and confusion, such as a thyroid disorder or vitamin levels that are too low. Blood tests also can measure levels of beta-amyloid protein and tau protein, but these tests aren't widely available and coverage may be limited. Mental status and neuropsychological testing Your provider may give you a brief mental status test to assess memory and other thinking skills. Longer forms of this type of test may ...

• • • • • • Dementia is not a single disease; it’s an overall term — like heart disease — that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of cases. Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. Learn more: Know the 10 signs Find out how typical age-related memory loss compares to early signs of Alzheimer's and other dementias. Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Examples include problems with: • Short-term memory. • Keeping track of a purse or wallet. • Paying bills. • Planning and preparing meals. • Remembering appointments. • Traveling out of the neighborhood. Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. It also provides time to plan for the future. Learn more: Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected. The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot ca...

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower individuals living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their families and their caregivers with necessary knowledge. Dementia overview Dementia describes a group of Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings. Take our free e-learning course Our course, Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, outlines the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, symptoms, stages, risk factors and more. Learn more: Alzheimer’s overview Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing and walking become difficult. Though the greatest known Learn more: Help and support are available If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to millions of people affected by the disease. • Call our 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 • Locate • Explore our • Create an action plan using our