Types
Key points
Dementia can be grouped into three types. They are:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia due to other causes
Introduction
Dementia can be classified in different ways. It can be grouped into Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and dementia due to other causes. In 2005 and 2006, the Hong Kong prevalence of the three types was 73.5%, 22.4% and 4.1%, respectively. People with dementia may have two or more types of dementia at the same time.
Alzheimer's disease
Vascular dementia
Dementia due to other causes.
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Progressive medical conditions of the brain. For example:
- Dementia related to malnutrition and dehydration
- Dementia due to trauma
- Dementia due to toxic substances
- Dementia due to infections
- Other medical conditions
- Depression-related pseudo-dementia
Summary
- The majority of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia.
- The majority of types of dementia are not inheritable.
- The majority of forms of dementia will lead to the death of brain cells, which is irreversible.
