Types of dementia

"Dementia is a word that encompasses many conditions, all of which have in common a deterioration of mental functioning," Dr. Paul Donohue.

I was talking with a dear friend who is very well informed about the difference between Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Both are types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease accounting for 60-80% of the dementias (according to Dr. Donohoe). Lewy Body Dementia is the second most occuring, and it is my personal opinion that it may actually be higher in incidence than data show because it is still a relatively unheard type of dementia. Even our family doctor who is very well informed is not very familiar with Lewy Body Dementia, and certainly most lay people are unaware of it.

All dementia types have cognitive deterioration, but this shows up differently. Lewy Body Dementia does not affect the memory like Alzheimer's does, but LBD (Lewy Body Dementia) does affect reasoning, struggling to express oneself verbally, and motor skills.