Dementia
Dementia is a term that refers to a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. Dementia can affect language, memory, visual perception, problem-solving, and focus. People with dementia may lose their ability to do everyday activities, including bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom.
Dementia falls under theBrain Healthcategory.
Last Updated:March 27, 2025
Dementia is a significant decline in cognitive function that severely impairs daily life, which distinguishes it from normal age-related cognitive changes. The World Health Organization estimates that over 55 million people globally are affected by dementia.
The main signs and symptoms of dementia include difficulty with daily activities, memory loss, disorientation, mood swings, and depression. As the condition progresses, some individuals may require complete assistance with self-care.
Dementia is diagnosed by ruling out reversible causes through an assessment of medical history and health status. Diagnosis may involve physical examinations, cognitive tests, blood tests, and brain imaging because there is no definitive test for dementia.
Medications for dementia primarily aim to control symptoms; acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists are used to treat cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, whereas other medications like statins and anticoagulants help reduce cardiovascular risks in vascular dementia. Additionally, antidepressants are often prescribed to address depression related to dementia.
Several supplements — such as ginkgo biloba, B-vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, oxiracetam, piracetam, and alpha-GPC — have been studied for dementia. However, the evidence is mixed on their effectiveness in improving cognitive function in individuals with dementia.
Observational studies suggest that diets like the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND may lower the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether these benefits extend to all types of dementia. More rigorous research is needed before making dietary recommendations for dementia.
Mentally stimulating activities, reminiscence therapy, and aerobic and resistance training can help improve daily functioning, cognition, and psychological well-being in people with dementia. These approaches support cognitive function and overall health for individuals who are experiencing memory problems.
Dementia can be caused by various conditions; the most common are neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, rare conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency and Huntington's disease may also lead to dementia or similar symptoms.
- ^Dementia
- ^Arvanitakis Z, Shah RC, Bennett DADiagnosis and Management of Dementia: Review.JAMA.(2019-10-22)
- ^Uwagbai O, Kalish VBVascular DementiaStatPearls.(2022-01)
- ^Annelien C van den Brink, Elske M Brouwer-Brolsma, Agnes A M Berendsen, Ondine van de RestThe Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diets Are Associated with Less Cognitive Decline and a Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease-A ReviewAdv Nutr.(2019 Nov 1)
- ^Gale SA, Acar D, Daffner KRDementia.Am J Med.(2018-10)
- ^Ghosh AEndocrine, metabolic, nutritional, and toxic disorders leading to dementia.Ann Indian Acad Neurol.(2010-Dec)
- Cognition - E Sinforiani, M Iannuccelli, M Mauri, A Costa, P Merlo, G Bono, G NappiNeuropsychological changes in demented patients treated with acetyl-L-carnitineInt J Clin Pharmacol Res.(1990)
- Cognitive Decline - Waegemans T, Wilsher CR, Danniau A, Ferris SH, Kurz A, Winblad BClinical efficacy of piracetam in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysisDement Geriatr Cogn Disord.(2002)
- Cognition - Chiu S, Gericke N, Farina-Woodbury M, Badmaev V, Raheb H, Terpstra K, Antongiorgi J, Bureau Y, Cernovsky Z, Hou J, Sanchez V, Williams M, Copen J, Husni M, Goble LProof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Cognition Effects of the Proprietary Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) Targeting Phosphodiesterase-4 in Cognitively Healthy Subjects: Implications for Alzheimer's DementiaEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2014)
- Cognition - Luo G, Zhang J, Song Z, Wang Y, Wang X, Qu H, Wang F, Liu C, Gao FEffectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies on cognitive function in patients with dementia-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Aging Neurosci.(2023)
- Cognition - Farina N, Llewellyn D, Isaac MGEKN, Tabet NVitamin E for Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairment.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2017 Apr 18)
- Cognitive Decline - Engel RR, Satzger W, Günther W, Kathmann N, Bove D, Gerke S, Münch U, Hippius HDouble-blind cross-over study of phosphatidylserine vs. placebo in patients with early dementia of the Alzheimer typeEur Neuropsychopharmacol.(1992 Jun)
- Cognitive Decline - Alvarez XA, Pichel V, Pérez P, Laredo M, Corzo D, Zas R, Fernández-Novoa L, Sempere JM, Díaz J, Cacabelos RDouble-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study with anapsos in senile dementia: effects on cognition, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral hemodynamicsMethods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol.(2000 Sep)
- Cognitive Decline - Maina G, Fiori L, Torta R, Fagiani MB, Ravizza L, Bonavita E, Ghiazza B, Teruzzi F, Zagnoni PG, Ferrario E, et alOxiracetam in the treatment of primary degenerative and multi-infarct dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyNeuropsychobiology.(1989)
- Cognitive Decline - B Baumel, L Eisner, M Karukin, R MacNamara, R J Katz, J Deveaugh-GeissOxiracetam in the treatment of multi-infarct dementiaProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.(1989)
- Cognitive Decline - Bottini G, Vallar G, Cappa S, Monza GC, Scarpini E, Baron P, Cheldi A, Scarlato GOxiracetam in dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyActa Neurol Scand.(1992 Sep)
- Cognitive Decline - Dysken MW, Katz R, Stallone F, Kuskowski MOxiracetam in the treatment of multi-infarct dementia and primary degenerative dementiaJ Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci.(1989 Summer)
- Cognitive Decline - Napryeyenko O, Borzenko I; GINDEM-NP Study GroupGinkgo biloba special extract in dementia with neuropsychiatric features. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trialArzneimittelforschung.(2007)
- Cognitive Decline - Herrschaft H, Nacu A, Likhachev S, Sholomov I, Hoerr R, Schlaefke SGinkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of a daily dose of 240 mgJ Psychiatr Res.(2012 Jun)
- Cognitive Decline - Kanowski S, Herrmann WM, Stephan K, Wierich W, Hörr RProof of efficacy of the ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementiaPharmacopsychiatry.(1996 Mar)
- Cognitive Decline - Zhang SJ, Xue ZYEffect of Western medicine therapy assisted by Ginkgo biloba tablet on vascular cognitive impairment of none dementiaAsian Pac J Trop Med.(2012 Aug)
- Cognitive Decline - Le Bars PL, Katz MM, Berman N, Itil TM, Freedman AM, Schatzberg AFA placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group.JAMA.(1997)
- Alzheimer's Disease Risk - DeKosky ST, Williamson JD, Fitzpatrick AL, Kronmal RA, Ives DG, Saxton JA, Lopez OL, Burke G, Carlson MC, Fried LP, Kuller LH, Robbins JA, Tracy RP, Woolard NF, Dunn L, Snitz BE, Nahin RL, Furberg CD; Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study InvestigatorsGinkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2008 Nov 19)
- Cognitive Decline - De Jesus Moreno Moreno MCognitive improvement in mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia after treatment with the acetylcholine precursor choline alfoscerate: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialClin Ther.(2003 Jan)
- Dementia Symptoms - Lott IT, Doran E, Nguyen VQ, Tournay A, Head E, Gillen DLDown syndrome and dementia: a randomized, controlled trial of antioxidant supplementationAm J Med Genet A.(2011 Aug)
- Depression Symptoms - Seok JW, Kim JDLight Therapy for Older People with Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Clin Med.(2024 Nov 20)