What causes dementia?
The primary reason for the onset of dementia is the deterioration and death of brain cells. While the exact causes of this are still being researched, it is understood that the triggers vary depending on the type of dementia.
There is currently no single, universally accepted explanation for the death of brain cells. However, progress has been made in understanding the causes of different types of dementia.
The causes of Alzheimer's disease
The accumulation of abnormal proteins in and around brain cells is believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer's disease. This condition is often associated with factors such as age, genetic predisposition, lifestyle habits, and overall health status.
Age: The average age of those affected by Alzheimer's is typically in their mid-60s and is believed to be linked to the APOE ɛ4 gene. However, there are rare cases of individuals between the ages of 30 to 60 who have inherited the gene from their parents.
Family genes: There is a genetic component to Alzheimer's disease, although it is not an absolute predictor. When multiple members of a family have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the risk for other family members increases.
Life habits: Lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise, can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Additionally, conditions such as obesity and other illnesses may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Personal healthy status: Certain health conditions, such as obesity, can increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The cause of Vascular dementia
The flow of blood is a fundamental function of the human body's internal organs. Vascular dementia is one of several conditions caused by abnormalities in blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain and subsequent death of brain cells. The following diseases have been linked to an increased risk of developing vascular dementia:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
The cause of frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a unique type of dementia, characterised by its onset at an earlier age (typically between 40 to 65) compared to other forms of dementia. It can be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease or a psychiatric condition, despite accounting for 10 to 20% of all dementia cases.
The underlying cause of FTD is believed to be the shrinkage of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, along with the accumulation of certain substances in the brain. However, the precise reasons for this are yet to be fully understood.
The cause of Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is caused by the accumulation of abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein. Despite ongoing research, the cause of this protein abnormality remains unknown.
LBD is one of the most common types of dementia, and factors such as age, gender, and family history may increase the risk of developing it.
Age Participants usually over 60
Gender Women participants are more than men participants in this case.
Family history Like other types of dementia, family genes affect the risk rate.
Other specific causes of dementia include alcoholic dementia and pugilistic dementia. Other reason may also cause specific dementia, such as alcoholic dementia, pugilistic dementia,
