Memory Loss Outside of Alzheimer’s
April 16, 2025
Kevin Foley, MD, FACP, ACSF, shares the signs and risks of lesser-known dementias. Dr. Foley is the medical director of the Trinity Health Medical Group Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program. He is also a professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University.
Understanding Memory Loss
More than 50 million people around the world live with dementia, and experts expect this number to double every 20 years. By 2050, it could reach 139 million. It is important to understand the different types of dementia, their symptoms, and how to manage them.
Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and can impact decision-making, communication skills, judgment, and reasoning. It may also cause significant personality changes. This condition results from damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. However, dementia affects individuals differently, making early recognition and intervention critical.
Is It a “Senior Moment” or Dementia?
What many refer to as “senior moments” are often normal lapses in memory, such as taking extra time to recall information. Aging alone should not cause severe memory loss. While processing speed may decline, most cognitive abilities remain intact.
Signs of Dementia
Recognizing dementia symptoms can help distinguish between normal aging and a developing condition. Common indicators include:
Cognitive changes:
o Memory loss
o Difficulty finding words or communicating
o Trouble performing complex tasks, planning, or organizing
o Impaired reasoning or problem-solving
o Poor coordination and movement control
o Confusion and disorientation
Psychological changes:
o Personality shifts
o Depression
o Anxiety
o Agitation
o Paranoia or hallucinations
It is important to identify a person’s typical patterns of thinking and behavior over time in order to recognize that significant changes are taking place.
General Risk Factors for Dementia
There are a variety of risk factors, including:
• Age: Risk increases for individuals 65 years and older.
• Genetics: Family history may contribute to susceptibility.
• Head injuries: Past trauma can raise dementia risk.
• Cardiovascular disease: Heart and blood vessel health directly impact brain function.
• Lifestyle choices: Poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and social isolation can increase the likelihood of developing dementia.
While Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known cause of dementia, several other forms exist.
Lewy Body Dementia
The second most common type of dementia is Lewy body dementia. Protein deposits called Lewy bodies disrupt nerve cell function in the brain. Symptoms may include:
• Visual hallucinations
• Changes in alertness and attention
• Parkinson’s-like symptoms (rigid muscles, tremors, slow movement, and difficulty walking)
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression and apathy
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control personality, behavior, and language. People can confuse FTD with a mental health disorder or Alzheimer’s disease. However, it usually appears earlier, between the ages of 40 and 65.
Symptoms appear in clusters:
• Behavioral: Inappropriate social behavior, loss of empathy, poor judgment, compulsive behaviors, and changes in eating habits.
• Speech and language: Difficulty naming objects, losing word meanings, and improper sentence formation.
• Movement: Tremors, rigidity, muscle spasms, and coordination issues.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia results from vascular changes in the brain, which impact blood flow and oxygen supply. Symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly, often with short periods of improvement. MRI scans commonly reveal abnormalities, such as small strokes.
Researchers strongly associate vascular dementia with cardiovascular (blood vessels in the heart) and cerebrovascular (blood vessels in the brain) diseases, making heart and brain health important factors in prevention.
Preventive Measures for Brain Health
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help reduce risk. However, evidence regarding brain games, puzzles, reading, exercise, supplements, and special diets remains inconclusive.
Newer prevention strategies showing promise include:
• Correcting hearing loss
• Screening and treating sleep apnea
• Seeking a diagnosis
Anyone concerned about progressive memory loss should seek medical evaluation. Determining the underlying cause is essential for prognosis. In some cases, your doctor may be able to identify reversible conditions.
Doctors may recommend imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to detect strokes or small vessel disease. However, testing is not always necessary. Sometimes, a single consultation provides sufficient insight.
Treatment After Diagnosis
Dementia treatment depends on the specific diagnosis. Medications can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, while occupational and physical therapy may also be beneficial.
Support for Caregivers
Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. Continuous education and emotional support are essential for caregivers to cope with care demands. Counseling and support groups can help caregivers maintain their loved one’s safety, quality of life, and access to appropriate care resources.
Organizations such as the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association offer valuable resources for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers.
Understanding the different types of dementia, recognizing early signs, and taking proactive steps toward brain health can help individuals and families navigate these challenging diagnoses.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, but staying healthy and getting early medical intervention can improve life for those affected.