6^th Annual Psychiatrists and Psychologists Meet

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Dementia is not a specific disorder but an umbrella term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Dementia caused by brain injury or other non-degenerative factors may remain relatively stable, whereas dementia resulting from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and can eventually become life-limiting. It is a syndrome involving significant cognitive decline due to disease or injury, often affecting the cerebral cortex, which plays a key role in memory, language, and thinking.

Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that primarily affect memory, while Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory and cognitive function. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, and there is currently no cure. According to health estimates, more than 5 million people in the United States are affected. Although it can occur in younger individuals, symptoms most commonly begin after the age of 60. The progression and survival time vary, with shorter survival sometimes seen in older patients and longer durations in younger individuals.