November is an important month as it is home to Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Even though this particular type of dementia gets its own 30-day observance, it’s also important to understand the other forms of dementia. It represents a large number of neurological disorders and is NOT synonymous with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the major symptom they all have in common is a steady decline in brain function.

Though there are over 100 diseases thought to either cause or contribute to dementia, three are considered among the most common. Since seniors make up the largest portion of dementia diagnosis, having knowledge of the diseases can help those with aging loved ones who are experiencing a decline in brain function.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most common form of dementia. To truly grasp how common it is, here are some stats:

• Alzheimer’s makes up an estimated 50-70% of all dementias combined
• It affects one in four people over 85
• Increasing age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s

When diagnosed with this form of dementia, seniors can experience impaired memory, clouded thinking and violent mood swings.

There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: sporadic or familial.

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease: This type of dementia is the most common form of Alzheimer’s disease. It can affect adults of any age, but normally presents after the age of 65 and eventually requires some form of eldercare.

Familial Alzheimer’s disease: This form of dementia is rare and genetic. The disease itself if caused by an abnormal mutation in one of several genes. Once a mutated gene is detected, the patient will develop Alzheimer’s disease at some point, usually between the ages of 40 and 50.

Vascular Dementia

The second most commonly diagnosed form of dementia is vascular. This broad term refers to problems with blood circulation to and from the brain. There are a number of different types of vascular dementia, but the most common type is known as multi-infarct dementia. This form of vascular dementia is caused by a series of small strokes, also known as mini-strokes or Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). Multi-infarct dementia usually affects older adults between the ages of 60 and 75, with men being at a slightly higher risk for developing the disease. It is also possible for a senior to have both multi-infarct dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, making it extremely difficult for a doctor to diagnose either.

Lewy Body Disease

Lewy body disease is the third most common form of dementia, and it is possible that you’ve never heard of it before. However, LBD is not a rare disease. It affects an estimated 1.4 million individuals in the United States. Unfortunately, LBD symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it is currently widely under-diagnosed.

This condition is caused by degeneration and death of vital nerve cells within the brain. Abnormal spherical structures, referred to as “Lewy bodies,” develop inside the brain’s nerve cells and slowly contribute to their death. A complex disease, LBD can present with a range of symptoms including problems with thinking, memory, moving, sleep and/or changes in behavior, to name a few of the physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Sadly, the cause of this disease is not well understood. Research continues, though hoping to provide an answer and a solution to this form of dementia.