Dementia is a degenerative disease that damages the patient's memory, behavior, language, judgment and thinking. Alzheimer's disease is one form of dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Types of Dementia
The NIH states that the most common type of dementia is Lewy body dementia, which is caused by abnormal protein structures. Another form of dementia is vascular dementia, a result of small strokes.
Age of Onset
Dementia is rare before the age of 60, according to the NIH. When Alzheimer's disease is developed before age 60, it is known as early-onset Alzheimer's.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
The NIH notes that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the step before dementia and Alzheimer's disease, though not all MCI patients develop dementia. Symptoms include forgetting recent events and difficulty solving problems.
Early Symptoms
The early signs of dementia and Alzheimer's are the same, according to the NIH. Symptoms include language problems, flat mood, personality changes, misplacing items and difficulty performing tasks.
Brain Imaging
The NIH states that in the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer's, brain abnormalities may not be seen with a CT or MRI.
