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What is Senile Dementia?
Senile dementia is defined as a deterioration of brain cells,
usually associated with old age. In senile dementia, brain function
decreases slowly causing loss of memory and mental skills and
changes in personality.
Senile dementia is an older term that was used to refer to a
group of diseases we now refer to individually as Alzheimer’s
disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s
disease.
Senile dementia is thought to be different than general senility,
which may come as a function of old age.
Symptoms of Senile Dementia
The symptoms of senile dementia are similar to those found in
Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) and other
frequently seen dementias. Signs of senile dementia may include the
following:
- Memory loss
- Decline in mental abilities
- Change in level of concentration
- Personality changes
Treatment Options For Senile Dementia
Since senile dementia is a term that refers to a group of
dementias, it is important to determine which of the dementias it
may be in order to plan for the disease progression. A geriatric
assessment would be helpful as the physician or neurologist would do
some assessment tests to match the presented symptoms with an
estimate of what dementia it might be. Unfortunately, a full
diagnosis can still only be made on autopsy. Newer testing methods
such as a PET (proton emission topography) scan can assist the
physician in actually seeing where the brain damage has occurred.
Each of the most common dementias has a slightly different
presentation of symptoms and the damage seen to the brain.
Senile Dementia of The Binswanger’s Type
A special type of senile dementia is known as Senile Dementia of
the Binswanger’s Type. This is a collection of unique senile
dementia symptoms that appears in most persons who are between 60
and 80 years of age. There are neurological issues noted as well as
psychiatric problems seen with this form of senile dementia. There
also is a link to either hypertension or vascular disease.
If you suspect any form of dementia in a loved one, please
consult a physician or specialist as soon as possible.
For
further information about dementia, please return to the
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