Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia isn’t one specific disease. It’s a general term used to describe symptoms that happen when underlying diseases cause abnormal changes in the brain. These changes affect how the brain works, making it harder to remember things, use language, or solve problems. While it’s more common as people get older, dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Dementia care is provided by a team of brain health experts, including neurologists and specialists in aging. At Penn Medicine, our memory and cognitive disorders care providers work together to find the root cause of your symptoms and create a plan just for you. Much of this care is supported by the Penn Memory Center, a nationally recognized program. Because we are a designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, you benefit from advanced expertise in Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and other forms of memory loss.

How dementia can affect daily life

Changes in thinking and other dementia symptoms can be frightening for both the person experiencing them and their loved ones. Because different types of dementia can affect different parts of the brain, no two experiences are the same. For many people, changes begin gradually, like trouble finding the right word, and become more noticeable over time.

Memory loss: Forgetting recent events, appointments, or conversations
Communication difficulties: Struggling to find words, follow conversations, or understand language
Confusion: Having trouble with planning, problem-solving, or making decisions
Mood or personality changes: Experiencing withdrawal, irritability, or behavior changes
Disorientation: Getting lost in familiar places or showing poor judgment
Loss of independence: Needing help with daily activities, like dressing, eating, or bathing

Causes and types of dementia

Dementia develops when brain cells stop working properly and lose connections with each other. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used to think that Alzheimer’s and dementia were the same, but now they understand that several diseases and disease processes can contribute to dementia. It’s also possible to have a combination of two or more dementia-causing diseases.

Common types of dementia

Potentially reversible causes

Evaluating dementia

Getting an early diagnosis is the best way to help slow memory loss. Your care team will use a combination of physical exams, lab tests, and advanced imaging to see how the brain is functioning. These tests help determine if your symptoms are related to mild cognitive impairment or a form of dementia. They may also use blood and urine tests to look for other medical conditions, like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies, that can affect thinking.

EEG

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.

PET scan

A PET scan helps us diagnose diseases and plan treatment as early as possible.

Neuropsychological testing

These tests include puzzles, questions, and tasks designed to see how well your brain is working.

Lumbar puncture

This test collects and analyzes cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose certain health conditions.

CT scan

A CT scan helps diagnose traumatic injuries, cancer, vascular diseases, and many other conditions.

MRI

An MRI provides high-resolution images of the brain, spine, and many other structures in the body.

Managing and living with dementia

While there’s currently no cure for most types of dementia, dementia care at Penn Medicine focuses on managing symptoms and keeping you safe and independent for as long as possible.