How dementia affects the brain

How dementia affects the brain

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, it affects thinking, behaviour and feelings. For more information or if you wish to...
How dementia affects the brain

Is dementia hereditary?

With most types of dementia, the disease is not inherited by children or grandchildren. In rarer types of dementia there may be a genetic link, but these are only a very small proportion of overall cases of dementia. Age is the most important risk factor for...
Is dementia a disease

Is dementia a disease

Dementia is not a single disease; it’s an overall term that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, which are caused by abnormal brain changes. For more information or if you wish to discuss care for your loved...
Is dementia a disease

Dementia causes

What causes dementia depends on the type of dementia.  Below are the main types of dementia and their causes: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by an abnormal protein which surrounds brain cells and another protein...
Dementia: bookshelf analogy

Dementia: bookshelf analogy

It can be difficult to understand how your loved one’s mind works when under the influence of dementia. The bookcase example may help. Imagine your brain is a bookcase. Your earliest memories are at the bottom, while your most recent memories are at the top.  Your...
How dementia affects the brain

Dementia types

The main types of dementia are: Alzheimer’s disease – the most common form of dementia (around 60% of diagnoses). This type of dementia is more common in older people (65+) and is thought to be caused by high amounts of proteins in the brain that damage...