Alzheimer’s Disease
In Alzheimer’s, the protein amyloid causes plaque like deposits around brain cells while protein tau causes deposits that form tangles in the brain cells.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular Dementia is caused by vascular events in the brain. Stokes which may or may not even be noticed can lead to Vascular Dementia. Changes in blood vessels causing them to become damaged or narrow can also lead to Vascular Dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy Body dementia is caused due to the formation of “Lewy bodies” in the brain. Lewy bodies are abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brain. Alpha-synuclein is also seen in Parkinson’s Disease.
Frontotemporal Dementia
In Frontotemporal Dementia, the frontal and temporal areas of the brain start to shrink. Some deposits have also been noted, but further research is needed to know more.
Other Types of Dementia
Creutzfeld Jacobs Disease, Huntington’s Disease and HIV associated dementia are some of the more rare presentations of dementia. Dementia can sometimes also be caused by Traumatic Brain Injury.
About 50 to 80% of people will Parkinson’s also eventually develop dementia. This is known as Parkinson’s Disease Dementia.