Skip to main content
  • About
  • Brain Health
    • What is Brain Health?
    • What is Dementia?
  • Our Work
  • News & Events
  • Connect
  • Donate
Home
  •  
  •  
  •  
Menu

Main navigation

  • About
    • What is the GW Institute for Brain Health and Dementia?
    • Our Mission
    • What We Do
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Faculty
    • Partners
  • Brain Health
    • What is Brain Health?
    • What is Dementia?
  • Our Work
    • Projects and Initiatives
    • Our Institute in the Community
    • Recent Publications Authored by our Faculty
    • Current and Recent Grants Awarded to our Faculty
    • Currently Recruiting Studies
  • News & Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Current News & Events
    • Archived News & Events
  • Connect
    • Connect
    • Resources for Faculty
    • Contact Us
  • Donate

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. What is Brain Health?
  3. What is Dementia?

 

What is Dementia?

Main navigation

  • What is Brain Health?
  • What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term that describes when the decline in mental ability or cognitive impairment is severe enough to interfere with independent living and daily life. It is not a specific disease, but instead describes a group of symptoms that are associated with decline in memory or skills necessary to function independently. There are many different clinical syndromes or names for dementia with variable presentations and unique disease characteristics. Most types of dementia evolve over time and symptoms worsen over many years. It is important that when individuals experience a decline in cognitive function, they be evaluated by a clinician for reversible causes of memory loss.  Such possibly reversible causes of cognitive slowing or loss such as depression, vitamin deficiency, thyroid disorders, or medication adverse effects may be treatable. In cases where the underlying cause of memory loss cannot be treated, memory and cognitive loss may be slowed by treating underlying causes.  In vascular dementia, progression of cognitive loss can be slowed by optimizing medical treatment for underlying risk factors such as stroke, vascular disease, or inflammation. For other types of dementia, identifying and addressing risk factors for accelerated loss of cognitive function as well as establishing routine and purpose can help delay loss or slow loss of cognitive function. Dementia is not a normal part of the aging process and whenever concerns arise, they should be evaluated by a clinician. 

Common types of Dementia

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Lewy Body Dementia
  • Vascular Dementia
  • Frontotemporal Disorders

Risk Factors for Dementia

  • Older Age
  • Family History and Genetics
  • Low Education
  • Depresssion
  • Diabetes
  • Unhealthy Diet
  • High Blood Pressure in Midlife
  • High Cholesterol in Midlife
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Lack of Physical Activity
  • Severe Head Injury

 

Read more about dementia, aging, and risk factors for memory loss:

Healthy Aging

National Institute on Aging

Risk Factors for Dementia

 

Milken Institute of Public Health Logo

950 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20052

Email: brainhealth@gwu.edu

Twitter: @GW_BrainHealth

YouTube: GW Brain Health and Dementia