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Dementia is a loss of mental function in two or more areas such as language, memory, visual and spatial abilities, or judgment severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia itself is not a disease but a broader set of symptoms that accompanies certain diseases or physical conditions. Well-known diseases that cause dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Pick’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. Other physical conditions may cause or mimic dementia, such as depression, brain tumors, head injuries, nutritional deficiencies, hydrocephalus, infections (i.e. - AIDS, eningitis, syphilis), drug reactions, and thyroid problems.

A fact sheet explaining common related dementias is available in PDF format here (link to factrelateddisorder.pdf).

For further information about specific related dementias, please visit the National Alzheimer’s Association website for a list of current links to other resources.

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