In addition to Alzheimer’s, there are several types of dementia with symptoms other than memory loss, such as vision problems or muscle atrophy.
What most people think of when they hear the word “dementia” are memory problems and forgetfulness. But what people often don’t know is that the dementia can cause many different symptomsaffecting speech, behavior, sleep, motor function and more.
In fact, dementia is an umbrella term. It is estimated that there are more than 100 types of dementia. THE Alzheimer’s disease is the most common subtypeaffecting approximately 60% of all cases. Memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of this type of dementia.
But approximately 40% of all cases of dementia are considered different, rarer types. Unfortunately, having a rarer subtype of dementia often makes diagnosis more difficult and requires more complex care.
Although most people may be aware of some types of dementia, including dementia with Lewy bodies, dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease, and frontotemporal dementia, knowledge about other, rarer types is low.
Knowing how to identify the signs of these rarer types of dementia early can be crucial to ensuring loved ones receive the support they need.
Posterior cortical atrophy
Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) mainly affects visual and spatial functions. Memory is not as affected in the early stages as in Alzheimer’s disease.
People with ACP may have difficulty with visual hallucinations and spatial orientation. This can become evident when reading or assessing the depth and space on a staircase – making it difficult, for example, to identify the next step. Symptoms usually begin to appear between the ages of 55 and 65 of age.
There is still a lot we don’t know about ACP due to its rarity. Researchers are still trying to figure out whether ACP is a distinct subtype of dementia or whether it is an atypical form of Alzheimer’s disease. This is because the brain changes that occur in people with ACP are very similar to those that occur in people with Alzheimer’s disease, although the symptoms are different. It is also estimated that between 5% and 15% of people with Alzheimer’s have ACP.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a particularly rare form of dementia, affecting around one in every 1 million people all over the world.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a prion disease. These diseases involve prion proteins that, for unknown reasons, suddenly transform into a three-dimensional form. The function of healthy prions remains unknown, but they appear to play some role in protection of nerves and brain cells and in maintaining the body’s circadian rhythm (the natural 24-hour cycle our bodies follow that control everything from sleep and digestion to immunity).
Misfolding of prion proteins in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease causes very rapid and severe form of dementiaprogressing much more quickly than Alzheimer’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, for example. In addition to the remarkably rapid progression, people with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease experience memory and movement difficulties, including sudden, jerky movements.
Risk factors for this subtype of dementia include advanced age and genetics (occurring in 10% to 15% of cases). In very rare cases, it can also develop as result of contamination – and the consumption of beef from animals infected with mad cow disease.
DFT-ELA
FTD-ALS is a form of frontotemporal dementia that occurs along with motor neurone disease.
Frontotemporal dementia refers to the subtypes of the disease that cause gradual loss of brain tissue in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
Motor neurone disease, on the other hand, is a rapidly progressing neurological condition that can lead to breathing difficulties, movement difficulties, and paralysis. Although it affects the brain and nerves, is not a form of dementia itself.
Approximately 10% to 15% of people with frontotemporal dementia also develop motor neurone disease. This simultaneous occurrence appears to be linked to a mutation in the C9orf72 gene. Because of this genetic link, FTD-ALS may be hereditary.
People with FTD-ALS have various muscle problemsincluding muscle atrophy, stiffness, and difficulty swallowing. These are symptoms that are not typically associated with dementia and memory problems.
It is currently unclear whether frontotemporal dementia develops first and then motor neurone disease, or whether it is the other way around.
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurological condition that causes both dementia and movement problems.
It is estimated that affects approximately 4000 people in the United Kingdom. PSP is difficult to diagnose because it overlaps with many other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease.
The PSP mainly leads to damage to subcortical regions of the brainspecifically in the brainstem and basal ganglia. These areas are linked to vision and movement.
Thus, people with PSP have difficulties with their vision and, consequently, may fall frequently and have mobility difficulties. People with PSP may also have concentration difficulties and problem solving.
Dementia support
As with all subtypes of dementia, there is still no cure. Although there are medications that can slow symptoms, these strategies only work in cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
Therefore, we still need to find ways to support people with disabilities in the best way possible. other subtypes of dementia.
One way to do this is by properly understanding each person’s condition and subtype. Knowing that someone may have specific difficulties with locomotion and movement, rather than memory problems, is important in implementing the proper care in advance.
It is equally important identify the signs early. Dementia doesn’t just affect memory. Changes in behavior, vision problems or more frequent falls, changes in the way you walk or move, or difficulty speaking, may be early signs of dementia.
A better understanding of the various forms of dementia could lead to better ways to manage and treat this complex disease.
