Vascular dementia research and advice resource
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental HealthOur Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the Maudsley Hospital brings together psychiatric and medical expertise and focuses on patient-centred research to help develop better tests, treatments and preventions for mental ill health. The following film explains more about how the BRC works. In section 1, dementia sufferer Gerry describes his condition and why he chose to take part in a BRC trial of a new treatment.
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How do You Define Dementia
Article by Joanne Taylor
A number of years ago when somebody wanted to define dementia, it was commonly known as senile dementia. However in today’s world you will not see the word senile, connected with the term dementia. The term was dropped because it implies a condition that affects people of an elderly age, and this is not always the case.
A lot of people today think that dementia is a disease, when in fact it is actually a syndrome. Dementia is a cognition function, What this means is that the cells in the brain start to die. This then causes loss of brain function. This in turn will then lead to the symptoms of memory loss, speech impairment, disorientation, lack of judgment, and general confusion. This then leaves the dementia sufferer unable to live an independent life.
Dementia is a progressive disorder, which in some cases cannot be treated successfully. This condition will remove the ability for a person to live a normal life. Before you can define dementia, you must keep in mind there are around 70 different types of dementia, all with different levels of seriousness.
The most common form of dementia that most people will be aware of is alzheimers disease. Other forms of dementia that some people may be familiar with will include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, lewy body dementia, metabolic dementia and parkinsons disease. Although treatment is available to help stem the progression of these forms of dementia, as of yet there is still no complete cure.
Tests and research have also shown that high levels of stress and depression can damage our brain structure. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol, have been known to shrink the anterior cingulate cortex, this is located in the centre of our brains. Once the cortex starts to shrink, this is when we find that our memory starts to become affected. This is when we start showing signs of memory loss and memory impairment.
If you are unsure about whether you have a problem or not, it is always best to seek medical advice straight away. Your doctor will be able to define dementia for you, on top of this talking to someone will take your stress levels down, and help you cope better with the situation. Exercise is a great way that can also help people who suffer with stress.
Alzheimers disease mainly affects people in their seventies, but has also been known to affect people in their forties. It is a degenerating disease, which results in the destruction of your brain cells. This will clearly have an impact on the quality of life that a person can live independently.
In conclusion when someone comes to define dementia, it is not always as straight forward as many people think. The first port of call, if you suspect either you or someone you know may have a problem, would be to see your doctor and get medical advice.
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