Types of dementia
Dementia information
Dementia is not a disease itself. Dementia is a word used to describe a group of symptoms that occur when brain cells stop working properly. There are different types of dementia, caused by different diseases that affect the brain. These diseases include Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, as well as other rarer types of dementia.
These diseases happen to specific areas of the brain, which can affect how you think, remember and communicate.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but there are other types of dementia too, like vascular dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies. It is possible to have more than one type of dementia at the same time, this is often called ‘mixed dementia’.
On these pages you will find information about the most common types of dementia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. Our information is not intended to replace the advice of doctors, pharmacists or nurses, but provides some background information which we hope you will find helpful.
If you would prefer to speak to someone or have questions about dementia please get in touch with our Dementia Research Infoline.
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Alzheimer’s disease
The word dementia is used to describe a group of symptoms – these include memory loss, confusion, mood changes and communication difficulties. Dementia is caused by diseases that affect the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
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Young onset dementia
The word dementia is used to describe a group of symptoms – like memory problems, confusion or mood changes. Although often thought of as affecting older people, it is estimated that at around 70,000 people with dementia in the UK are under 65. When dementia happens under the age of 65, it is called young onset dementia or you may hear it being called early onset dementia too.
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Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, for every 100 people with dementia, 20 of those will have vascular dementia.
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Dementia with Lewy bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies is the third most common cause of dementia.
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Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia also called FTD, is a rarer type of dementia caused by a build up of proteins, tau, FUS and TDP-43, in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
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Mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment, also called MCI, describes memory and thinking problems that are mild but still noticeable.
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Posterior cortical atrophy
Posterior cortical atrophy, also known as PCA, is an uncommon type of dementia that usually begins by affecting a person’s vision.
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Primary progressive aphasia
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a rare type of dementia. It is caused by damage to parts of the brain that control our language, personality, emotions and behaviour.
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Rare causes of dementia
There are several rare conditions that can lead to dementia or dementia-like symptoms. Around 35,000 people in the UK are thought to be affected by these rarer causes of dementia.