About Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome consisting of a number of symptoms that include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour. These symptoms may affect a person's functioning at work, in social relationships or in day-to-day activities. Sometimes symptoms of dementia can be caused by conditions that may be treatable, such as depression, thyroid disease, infections or drug interactions. If the symptoms are not treatable and progress over time, they may be due to damage to the nerve cells in the brain. A person should seek a thorough medical assessment if any of these symptoms are present.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 64% of all dementias in Canada. The features of Alzheimer's disease include a gradual onset and continuing decline of memory, as well as changes in judgment or reasoning, and inability to perform familiar tasks.

Sometimes a person may experience symptoms early on, such as sudden onset of memory loss, behaviour changes, or difficulties with speech and movement. These symptoms may suggest a dementia other than Alzheimer's disease.

Diseases that cause dementia include:

•  Alzheimer's disease
•  Lewy Body Dementia
•  Frontotemporal Dementia
•  Vascular Dementia
•  AIDS Dementia Complex
•  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
•  Alzheimer's disease and Down Syndrome

For additional information about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Visit the Alzheimer Society of Toronto website and our Non-English Online Resources page.