How Many Types of Dementia Are There?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders. There are many different types of dementia, each caused by different diseases that affect the brain. The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease,vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. However, there are a number of less common types that also cause dementia symptoms.

While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia overall, there are many other types of dementia -  each with distinct causes and symptoms. By understanding the different ones, you can ensure your loved one receives a proper diagnosis and personalised dementia care from care homes like KYN.

The Most Common Types of Dementia:

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around 62% of cases in the UK. It causes the most well-known "symptoms of dementia", including a gradual decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Alzheimer's disease is caused by the build-up of proteins in the brain that form abnormal structures called 'plaques' and 'tangles'. These disrupt communication between nerve cells, causing them to die. People with Alzheimer's also have reduced levels of key chemicals in the brain that are involved in sending messages.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include short-term memory loss and mild confusion. As the disease progresses, symptoms get worse and may include disorientation, mood changes, loss of inhibitions, difficulty with language and problems recognising friends and family. Ultimately, the person may lose the ability to care for themselves. Life expectancy after diagnosis varies from person to person but is often 7-12 years. However, some people live much longer.

There are drug treatments available that can temporarily relieve some Alzheimer’s symptoms or slow their progression in some people. Supportive dementia care is also crucial.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type, affecting around 15% of those diagnosed with dementia. It develops when blood flow to the brain is impaired, starving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. This damage can be caused by stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and other circulatory issues.

The symptoms of vascular dementia relate to the part of the brain that has been damaged and can begin suddenly or progress steadily over many months - as such, the symptoms vary depending on the location of the injury, and the length of time the person has been living with dementia. They may include confusion, difficulty with planning and decision making, vision problems and unsteadiness. In some cases, symptoms may stabilise or even improve if the underlying vascular condition is treated. However, most often they will still gradually get worse over time.

Prevention typically focuses on:

• Controlling stroke risk factors like high blood pressure
• Using blood thinners and antioxidant medications to slow decline
• Relearning skills through rehabilitation

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

This type accounts for 10-15 % of dementia cases. It is caused by abnormal clumps of protein (called Lewy bodies) gathering inside brain cells. These Lewy bodies can then build up in parts of the brain, especially in areas responsible for thought, visual perception and movement. People living with Lewy body dementia experience symptoms like:

• Fluctuating thinking abilities
• Visual hallucinations
• Movement difficulties
• Sleep problems
• Behavioural changes

While there's no cure, medications that increase acetylcholine levels can temporarily alleviate some symptoms.

Less Common Types of Dementia

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects the parts of the brain that control personalities, emotions and language. This often starts in younger people between the ages of 45 and 65. There are two main types:

• Behavioural variant FTD - Your loved one shows dramatic changes in behaviour and emotions.
• Primary progressive aphasia - How your loved one communicates is gradually affected.

It can be difficult to diagnose and if often confused with depression,  stress, anxiety, psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorder. While there's no cure for FTD, creating structured routines and calming environments can help you and your loved one manage difficulties.

Mixed Dementia

Around 10% of people show symptoms of more than one type of dementia. This may be called mixed dementia. For example, some people are diagnosed with both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The symptoms experienced will depend on the areas of the brain affected.

Young-Onset Dementias

When dementia occurs earlier in life (before age 65), it presents unique difficulties. The causes, how it's diagnosed, how it affects families and the need for care are different compared to living in dementia in later years.

Many things can cause young-onset dementia like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.. That's why it's crucial to have specialised medical care, support groups, education and resources tailored to younger individuals and their families.

Less Common Neurocognitive Disorders

Some other rarer diseases and conditions can lead to progressive dementia, including:

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus - Fluid builds up in the brain cavities, pressing on surrounding tissue.
• Huntington's disease - A faulty protein that negatively affects brain cells.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome - An individual develops a Vitamin B1 deficiency from chronic alcoholism.
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) - A rare brain infection with prions that damages brain cells.
• HIV infection - Cognitive loss can occur at advanced disease stages.
• Traumatic brain injury - Repeated blows to the head, even seemingly minor ones, can trigger processes that contribute to dementia later in life.

Why Is Specific Diagnosis Important?

Figuring out the specific cause of dementia is like having a roadmap, helping healthcare professionals predict how it might progress and what strategies will best manage it. For example, people living with Lewy body dementia might need different medications than those living with frontotemporal dementia.

Knowing the diagnosis can also bring peace of mind to you and your family, clarifying what's happening and connecting with resources and support groups specifically tailored to the dementia type. More importantly, it allows you and your loved one to be involved in making care decisions.

Some types of dementia have risk factors you can control, like high blood pressure. Even if there's no cure, there are ways to improve your quality of life at each stage of the disease, depending on the specific type.

While multiple causes often contribute to dementia, identifying the main ones allows for more personalised care. Seeing a specialist can help get an accurate diagnosis, and regular checkups are important as symptoms can change over time.

Dementia: Support and Resources

Coping with a diagnosis of dementia or caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. However, there is support available across the UK. Charities like Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK offer dementia helplines, online resources and local services. Your GP should also be able to connect you with support groups and specialist dementia nurses who can provide advice on care.

Caring for Diverse Dementia Needs

With wide-ranging dementia types that manifest differently, one universal care approach cannot fit all needs. Here at KYN, we craft tailored plans for each individual living with dementia supported by our dedicated dementia lead, nursing, caregiving and therapy team.

KYN’s dementia care experts can advise families attempting to navigate diagnosis, changing needs, treatment options and care planning for their loved one. Contact us today at +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 to learn how we can support your family’s unique dementia journey with compassion and understanding.