the end stage of parkinson's is dementia. He will forget he was once the most overglorifed rubber stamp, but he might start spewing state secrets. A dementia stricken person is a loose canon, you can't predict what he will remember or say to you in public. The person could dredge up the most terrible family secret and repeat it ad nauseam. But by then you can't prosecute him cos he will be considered senile. Anyway, looking at hubby and wife in the clip, they don't look like they have aged well given their wealth. Unlike Wee Kim Wee and Mrs Wee.
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Alzheimer's disease and
dementia are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Here's a detailed comparison:
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Alzheimer's Disease:
1. **Definition:** Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate and die, leading to a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.
2. **Cause:** The exact cause is not fully understood, but it involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
3. **Symptoms:** Symptoms usually start with mild memory loss and progress to severe cognitive impairment, including disorientation, language problems, and changes in behavior and personality.
4. **Pathology:** Characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) in the brain, leading to the death of nerve cells and the loss of brain tissue.
5. **Progression:** Typically starts slowly and worsens over time, eventually leading to total dependence on caregivers for daily activities.
6. **Treatment:** There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but some medications may temporarily improve symptoms or slow down their progression.
7. **Prevalence:** It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.
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Dementia:
1. **Definition:** Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms that include memory loss, impaired reasoning, and personality changes, which interfere with daily functioning.
2. **Types:** There are different types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.
3. **Cause:** Dementia can be caused by various underlying conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular issues, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury.
4. **Symptoms:** Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause but often include memory loss, confusion, difficulty communicating, and problems with reasoning and judgment.
5. **Pathology:** The pathology of dementia depends on its underlying cause. For example, vascular dementia is caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, while Lewy body dementia involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies.
6. **Progression:** Progression depends on the type and cause of dementia but generally follows a gradual decline in cognitive function.
7. **Treatment:** Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and may include medications, therapy, and lifestyle interventions to manage symptoms and slow down progression.
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Comparison:
- **Scope:** Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia, while dementia is a broader term encompassing various conditions.
- **Cause:** Alzheimer's disease has a specific pathology involving abnormal protein deposits, while dementia can be caused by multiple factors.
- **Symptoms:**
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease overlap with those of dementia but may vary depending on the underlying cause of dementia.
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Treatment:** Treatment approaches for Alzheimer's disease may differ from those for other types of dementia, but both focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
In summary, while Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia with its own distinct pathology, dementia is a broader term encompassing various conditions that result in cognitive decline. Both conditions share similarities in symptoms and treatment approaches but differ in their underlying causes and specific characteristics.