DEGENERATIVE DISEASE OF THE BRAIN
Degenerative brain disease causes Dementia and the laltter term usually refers to the irreversible dementias, also known as degenerative dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of the degenerative dementias. There are a number of other degenerative dementias, however, that may look like Alzheimer’s, but have distinct or different features which need special attention and different treatment. Some of these conditions have a cause that can be corrected and are known as Reversible Dementias. a complete medical and neuropsychological evaluation is necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis in a patient with suspected dementia.
The process of diagnosing dementia has become more accurate in recent years, and specialists are able to analyze the large amount of data collected and determine if there is a problem, the severity, and, often, the cause of the dementia. Occasionally, there may be a combination of causes or it may take time to monitor the individual to be sure of a diagnosis. Determining whether the cause is a reversible or irreversible condition guides the treatment and care for the affected person and family. (Sources: National Center on Caregiving: Family Care Alliance 2008, NIH-National Library of Medicine 2008)
