Alzheimer Disease and Dementias: Early Detection and Care Planning _ ______________________________
TYPES OF DEMENTIA (Continued)
Disease
Symptoms
Attributes/Causation
Corticobasal syndrome (CBS)
Asymmetric limb rigidity, dystonia, muscle jerks (myoclonus), difficulty with motor planning (apraxia) Progressive difficulty with language (aphasia), executive functioning, and visuospatial impairments Changes in personality, irritability, and apathy Rapid cognitive decline with memory loss, confusion, and personality changes Muscle jerks (myoclonus), loss of coordination (ataxia), visual disturbances, and speech abnormalities Anxiety, depression, and psychosis Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and executive dysfunction Slowed movements, clumsiness, and coordination problems Apathy, depression, and social withdrawal Involuntary jerking movements (chorea), dystonia, slowed movements (bradykinesia) Progressive decline in executive function, memory, and attention Depression, irritability, anxiety, and impulsivity Difficulty walking, shuffling gait, and balance problems Memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with attention and decision-making Urinary incontinence and urgency Difficulty with balance and walking, frequent falls, and stiffness Difficulty moving the eyes, particularly in the vertical direction Executive dysfunction, slowed thinking, and memory problems Apathy, depression, and personality changes
Associated with abnormal tau protein accumulation in the brain, leading to neuronal degeneration Often linked to corticobasal degeneration (CBD), a rare neurodegenerative disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
Caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that lead to brain damage Can be sporadic, inherited, or acquired through exposure to infected tissue
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND)
Caused by the direct effects of HIV on the central nervous system, leading to inflammation and neuronal damage
Huntington disease
A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leading to the production of an abnormal huntingtin protein that causes neuronal death
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
Caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles, leading to increased pressure and damage to brain tissues
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
Caused by the accumulation of tau protein in the brain, leading to the degeneration of specific brain regions, particularly those involved in movement and cognitive function
Source: [6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11]
Table 1
Patients with dementia experience a progressive decline in cog- nitive function, leading to increased dependency on caregivers for daily activities. This results in significant stress, burnout, and a need for support among caregivers [4]. The economic burden of dementia is substantial. In the United States, the total cost of care for individuals with Alzheimer disease and other dementias was estimated at $321 billion in 2022, with projections reaching nearly $1 trillion by 2050 due to rising prevalence and healthcare costs. These costs include medical care, long-term care, and the value of unpaid caregiv- ing by family members [4].
Early detection and diagnosis of dementia are crucial for man- aging symptoms, planning for the future, and improving the quality of life for those affected. Understanding the prevalence and impact of dementia is essential for developing effective strategies and support systems to address this growing public health challenge. ALZHEIMER DISEASE Alzheimer disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting older adults, leading to significant cognitive decline that interferes with daily life. It is the most common form of
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MDRI2026
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