Dementia: MedlinePlus
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there.
Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia. However, memory loss by itself does not mean you have dementia. People with dementia have serious problems with two or more brain functions, such as memory and language. Although dementia is common in very elderly people, it is not part of normal aging.
Many different diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer's disease andstroke. Drugs are available to treat some of these diseases. While these drugs cannot cure dementia or repair brain damage, they may improve symptoms or slow down the disease.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Brain PET scan
Dementia
Dementia - behavior and sleep problems
Dementia - daily care
Dementia - home care
Dementia - keeping safe in the home
Dementia - what to ask your doctor
Dementia and driving
Dementia due to metabolic causes
Mental status testing
Related Topics
Alzheimer's Disease
Delirium
Lewy Body Disease
Memory
Brain and Nerves
Mental Health and Behavior
Seniors
National Institutes of Health
The primary NIH organization for research on Dementia is the National Institute on Aging
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Frontotemporal Disorders: Diagnosis
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Types of Frontotemporal Disorders
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Frontotemporal Disorders: Treatment and Management
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Caring for a Person with a Frontotemporal Disorder
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Frontotemporal Disorders: Common Symptoms
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Frontotemporal Disorders: Causes
08/11/2014 04:27 PM EDT
Source: National Institute on Aging
Related MedlinePlus Page: Dementia
Start Here
Dementia(American Academy of Family Physicians)
Also available in Spanish
Dementia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) -Short Summary
Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help(National Institute on Aging)
Also available in Spanish
Overviews
Dealing with Dementia(National Institutes of Health)
Dementia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Dementia (Including Alzheimer Disease) (Beyond the Basics)(UpToDate)
Dementia: Hope through Research(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Also available in Spanish
Latest News
Low Vitamin D Levels May Boost Alzheimer's Risk, Study Finds(08/06/2014, HealthDay)
High Blood Pressure in Middle Age, Weaker Brain Later?(08/04/2014, HealthDay)
Depression and Dementia(07/31/2014, HealthDay)
Scientists Shed Light on Link Between Depression, Dementia(07/30/2014, HealthDay)
Exercise and a Healthy Lifestyle Reduce Dementia Risk(07/21/2014, Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
Lifestyle and Dementia Risk(07/16/2014, HealthDay)
More News on Dementia
Diagnosis/Symptoms
ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) Genotyping(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Brain Autopsy(Association for Frontotemporal Dementias)
Dementia: Diagnosis and Tests(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
Frontotemporal Dementias: Diagnosis(Association for Frontotemporal Dementias)
Frontotemporal Disorders: Common Symptoms(National Institute on Aging)
Frontotemporal Disorders: Diagnosis(National Institute on Aging)
Tau/Amyloid Beta 42 Peptide Test (Alzheimer Biomarkers)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Treatment
Frontotemporal Disorders: Treatment and Management(National Institute on Aging)
Medications for Memory Loss(Alzheimer's Association)
Medicines for Treating Mental Health Conditions: A Review of the Research for Adults and Caregivers(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
Also available in Spanish
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Prevention/Screening
Brain Health(Alzheimer's Association)
Medicare Update: Annual Wellness Visit(Alzheimer's Association) - PDF
Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults(U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
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Alternative Therapy
Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Complementary Health Practices for Cognitive Function, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Coping
Dementia, Caregiving, and Controlling Frustration(Family Caregiver Alliance)
Planning for the Future After a Diagnosis of Dementia(American Academy of Family Physicians)
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Disease Management
Managing Behaviors(Association for Frontotemporal Dementias)
Managing Care for Adults with Long-Term Medical Illness(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
Also available in Spanish
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Specific Conditions
Basics of Frontotemporal Disorders(National Institute on Aging)
Binswanger's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) -Short Summary
CADASIL(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's Disease)(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Klüver-Bucy Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) -Short Summary
Mixed Dementia(Alzheimer's Association)
Multi-Infarct Dementia(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) -Short Summary
Other Dementias(National Institute on Aging)
Parkinson's Disease Dementia(Alzheimer's Association)
Types of Dementia(Alzheimer's Association)
Types of Frontotemporal Disorders(National Institute on Aging)
Vascular Dementia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Related Issues
Adult Day Centers(Alzheimer's Association) - PDF
Also available in Spanish
Caring for a Person with a Frontotemporal Disorder(National Institute on Aging)
Dementia & Driving(Family Caregiver Alliance)
Dementia at the End of Life(National Institute on Aging)
Frontotemporal Disorders: Causes(National Institute on Aging)
Legal Plans: Assisting the Person with Dementia in Planning for the Future(Alzheimer's Association) - PDF
Nervous System Problems and Dementia(New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center)
Also available in Spanish
Ovary Removal: A Risk Factor for Dementia?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Sexuality and Dementia(Family Caregiver Alliance)
Sundowning: Late-Day Confusion(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
What to Ask: Dementia(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
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Videos
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