Dementia: Alzheimer’s and Vascular in Diabetes patients

Описание: National Institute of Ageing: Alzheimer's starts with memory loss due to protein buildup (plaques/tangles), progressing slowly, while vascular dementia stems from blocked blood flow (strokes/clots) causing issues with thinking speed, organization, and attention, often appearing more suddenly or in step-wise declines, though both affect cognition and can coexist as mixed dementia, per Alzheimer's Association, MedicalNewsToday, and UNSW Sydney. The key difference lies in the root cause: brain cell damage from proteins (Alzheimer's) versus compromised blood supply (vascular).
Alzheimer's Disease
Cause: Abnormal protein deposits (amyloid plaques, tau tangles) damage brain cells.
Primary Symptoms: Gradual memory loss (especially new info), disorientation, difficulty with language/judgment.
Progression: Slow, steady decline.
Vascular Dementia
Cause: Reduced blood flow to the brain, often from strokes, mini-strokes, or damaged vessels.
Primary Symptoms: Slowed thinking, difficulty planning/organizing, confusion, attention problems; memory issues can vary.
Progression: Can be step-like (sudden worsening after a new event) or gradual.
Key Distinctions
Onset: Alzheimer's is typically gradual; vascular dementia can appear more abruptly.
Early Focus: Alzheimer's first hits memory; vascular dementia often affects executive functions (thinking, organizing) first.
Risk Factors: Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes increase vascular dementia risk, while genetics play a larger role in Alzheimer's.
Overlap
Many people have both conditions (mixed dementia), leading to overlapping symptoms.
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