10 types of dementia: common symptoms and treatments

From Alzheimer’s disease to Lewy body dementia to Parkinson’s disease dementia, understanding the different types of dementia can feel difficult. Yet knowing the distinctions may help you better support a loved one experiencing cognitive changes. Whether your loved one has received a diagnosis from a medical professional or you simply want to learn more, this guide offers a place to start.

Important note: CareScout is not engaged in providing legal, medical, or other similar professional services. Our services are solely intended to help you in your search for long-term care support and are not intended as a substitute for medical, legal, counseling, or other professional services or advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

What is dementia? 

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect cognitive function, including reasoning, memory, thinking, and daily activities. Although dementia is often discussed as a single condition, there are actually more than 100 types of dementia.¹ 

If you think you or a loved one you’re caring for may be facing a dementia diagnosis, it may help to start a dementia journal before the appointment. A journal to look at what is normal memory loss and what might be dementia may help you explain to the doctor what you’ve noticed or experienced. 

We put together a list of the 10 most common types of dementia, along with their symptoms and treatment options. This information can be a starting point, but only a licensed medical doctor can make a diagnosis. 

10 types of dementia 

Here are 10 of the most common types of dementia: 

• Alzheimer’s disease 

• Vascular dementia 

• Lewy body dementia 

• Parkinson’s disease dementia 

• Mixed dementia 

• Frontotemporal dementia 

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus 

• Huntington’s disease 

• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome 

Alzheimer’s disease 

There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: early-onset Alzheimer’s, also called younger-onset Alzheimer’s, and late-onset Alzheimer’s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s affects a small minority of people and tends to appear earlier in life, usually between ages 45 and 60. More than 90% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses involve late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, so the rest of this section focuses on that type. 

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of dementia cases.² Alzheimer’s is also on the rise. A 2023 study cited in the original article projected that the number of people living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. will nearly double by 2060.³

Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. This process results in the death of brain cells in areas responsible for collecting and storing new information. The loss of brain cells reduces overall brain tissue and causes the brain to shrink, contributing to the impaired cognitive function associated with Alzheimer’s dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.”⁴

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s 

You may notice some of these common symptoms of Alzheimer’s in your loved one: 

• Getting lost frequently 

• Difficulty learning new information 

• Problems recognizing people they know 

• Insomnia 

• Paranoia 

• Mood swings and unpredictable behavior, such as sundowning syndrome 

• Communication and language difficulties 

Treatment for Alzheimer’s 

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, the original article identifies two FDA-approved treatments that may help slow cognitive decline: 

• Lecanemab (Leqembi) 

• Donanemab (Kisunla) 

Other FDA-approved drugs may help make the cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms of Alzheimer’s more manageable. 

• For cognitive symptoms: Donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon), memantine (Namenda), and memantine plus donepezil (Namzaric) 

• For behavioral and psychological symptoms: Suvorexant (Belsomra) 

You can also look for Alzheimer's support groups in your area for additional help supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

Vascular dementia (VaD) 

Vascular dementia, also called vascular cognitive impairment, accounts for around 20% of dementia cases. 

According to Mayo Clinic, “Vascular dementia is a general term describing problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to your brain.”

This type of dementia may occur when a person’s brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. A stroke is one example of a condition that could cause vascular dementia.

Symptoms of vascular dementia 

A loved one with vascular dementia may show early symptoms, but the specific symptoms depend on which part of the brain was deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

• Slower thought processes than usual 

• Poor balance 

• Difficulty making plans 

• Problems with concentration and comprehension 

• Sudden changes in mood and behavior 

• Later symptoms may include worsening of the symptoms above, along with incontinence, reduced ability to perform activities of daily living, and personality changes. 

Treatment for vascular dementia 

There is no cure for vascular dementia and currently no FDA-approved drug specifically for its treatment. However, clinical trials have shown that some medications used to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms may also benefit people diagnosed with vascular dementia.

The article recommends reducing the risk of conditions such as heart disease and stroke by: 

• Eating a balanced diet 

• Exercising 

• Maintaining a healthy weight 

• Limiting alcohol consumption 

• Avoiding smoking 

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) 

Dementia with Lewy bodies is one of two types of Lewy body dementia. The broader term includes both dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia and affects around 1.4 million Americans.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “DLB is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function.” 

Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies 

If your loved one has dementia with Lewy bodies, you may observe some or all of the following symptoms: 

• Visual hallucinations 

• Fluctuations in cognition 

• Changes in thinking and reasoning 

• REM sleep issues 

• Depression 

• Sudden changes in nervous system functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, sweating, and sexual response 

• Some memory loss 

• Movement abnormalities, such as freezing, stiffness, and postural changes 

Treatment for dementia with Lewy bodies 

Although there is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies, medications and other treatment methods may help manage symptoms. A physician may recommend the following drugs: 

• For thinking and reasoning symptoms: Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs, such as donepezil (Aricept). Cholinesterase is the enzyme that breaks down an important neurotransmitter in the brain. 

• For behavioral symptoms: Antipsychotic drugs, used with extreme caution 

• For depression symptoms: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, or SSRIs, which maintain serotonin levels between communicating brain cells 

Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) 

Nearly 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease. Many people diagnosed with Parkinson’s later develop Parkinson’s disease dementia.

The Parkinson’s Foundation describes PDD as “significant or severe memory and thinking problems” as Parkinson’s disease progresses. 

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia 

• Common symptoms of PDD may include:  

• Forgetting to do simple daily tasks 

• Difficulty concentrating or learning new information 

• Difficulty remembering and solving problems 

• Depression, irritability, and anxiety 

• Hallucinations and delusions 

• Difficulties with visual perception 

• Muffled speech 

• REM sleep issues 

• Movement abnormalities, such as shuffling and freezing, and problems with balance 

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease dementia 

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease or PDD. However, treatment and therapy may help ease PDD symptoms. A physician may recommend the following treatments: 

• For thinking and reasoning symptoms: Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs, such as donepezil (Aricept) 

• For depression symptoms: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, or SSRIs 

• For sleep disorder symptoms: Clonazepam and melatonin 

It’s important to know that some medications or treatments prescribed for Parkinson’s may worsen symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Mixed dementia 

Mixed dementia, also called dementia-multifactorial, describes a person who has more than one type of dementia. For example, a mixed dementia diagnosis may include Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia or another combination of dementia types.

Mixed dementia can be difficult to diagnose because a person may show symptoms of multiple types of dementia. Despite that challenge, researchers now believe mixed dementia is quite common. 

Symptoms and treatments for mixed dementia vary depending on the types of dementia diagnosed.  

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) 

Although frontotemporal dementia has received attention following Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis, it is rare and has been diagnosed in around 50,000 to 60,000 Americans. Approximately 60% of people diagnosed with FTD are between ages 45 and 65. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, “Frontotemporal disorders are the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.” This damage gradually causes significant changes in thinking, memory, and behavior. The frontal lobe is associated with personality development and inhibition control. You can think of it as the brain’s braking function. Damage to these areas results in many of the symptoms described below. 

Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia 

FTD often begins with noticeable behavioral changes. Symptoms may include: 

• Personality changes 

• Emotional instability 

• Apathy 

• Communication difficulties 

• Mobility impairment 

Treatment for frontotemporal dementia 

Treatment for frontotemporal dementia largely focuses on managing symptoms. Interventions range from speech therapy to antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. Although these medications were originally developed to treat depression, the lack of dopamine in a person with FTD means they may also help ease some symptoms throughout the stages of frontotemporal dementia. 

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) 

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, rapidly developing form of dementia that occurs worldwide in 1 out of every 1 million people. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes CJD as “A rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorder believed to be caused by an abnormal isoform of a cellular glycoprotein (note - this is a protein with a sugar sticking out of it) known as the prion protein.” In other words, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease occurs when a specific brain cell protein called the prion protein doesn’t work as it should. 

This abnormal prion protein starts a domino effect in the brain, converting other properly functioning prion proteins into misfolded versions. The process spreads throughout the brain, causing rapid, widespread, and irreversible loss of brain tissue. The same process occurs in the brains of cows affected by mad cow disease. 

Symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 

Diagnosing CJD is challenging because no current test can conclusively diagnose it, and 90% of those diagnosed die within one year. If your loved one has CJD, you may notice symptoms such as: 

• Sudden personality changes 

• Depression 

• Slurred speech 

• Loss of intellect and memory 

• Loss of balance and coordination 

• Vision problems 

• Jerking movements 

• Rapidly progressing loss of brain function and mobility 

Treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 

There is currently no treatment that can cure CJD. However, certain drugs may help ease symptoms, such as antidepressants for anxiety and depression. 

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) 

Normal pressure hydrocephalus affects an estimated 700,000 Americans. This disorder primarily affects older adults and, unlike many other forms of dementia, may improve with specific treatment. The disorder is linked to increased pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, in which the brain is suspended. 

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles or cavities. It occurs if the normal flow of CSF throughout the brain and spinal cord is blocked in some way. This causes the ventricles to enlarge, putting pressure on the brain.” Increased pressure places mechanical stress on the brain and impairs function in the regions being compressed. 

Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus 

Although NPH symptoms can vary, the most common distinguishing characteristics include:  

• Difficulty walking 

• Loss of bladder control 

• Loss of interest in usual activities 

• Short-term memory loss 

• Changes in personality and behavior 

Treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus 

Treatment for NPH involves a procedure in which a surgeon places a shunt in the brain. The shunt drains excess CSF, reducing pressure and allowing the brain to return to its normal size. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary after recovery. 

Huntington’s disease (HD) 

Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that progressively breaks down nerve cells in the brain. The Huntington’s Disease Society of America reports, “Today, there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at risk of inheriting the disease.” The disease usually appears in people in their 30s and 40s. 

Huntington’s disease is caused by a single defective gene inherited from a parent. A child whose parent has the defective gene has a 50% chance of inheriting it. Not every person with the abnormal Huntington gene develops symptoms of the condition, even though they can still pass the gene to their children. 

Symptoms of Huntington’s disease 

Early symptoms of HD may include:  

• Involuntary jerking movements 

• Problems with balance or movement, including mild clumsiness 

• Problems learning new information 

• Problems with impulse control 

• Difficulty organizing tasks and actions 

• Unusual eye movements 

• Muscle rigidity or contracture 

• Insomnia and fatigue 

Treatment for Huntington’s disease 

Although researchers identified the gene that causes HD in 1993, there is still no cure for the disease. Treatment options include drugs that help manage symptoms.

• For muscle and movement symptoms: The antipsychotic drug olanzapine or the monoamine-depleting agent tetrabenazine 

• For behavioral and mood symptoms: An antipsychotic drug or an SSRI antidepressant 

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) 

Although most experts believe Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome has a low prevalence, some suspect its symptoms are underreported and, therefore, underdiagnosed.

The Family Caregiver Alliance explains, “WKS is caused by a deficiency in the B vitamin thiamine. Thiamine plays a role in metabolizing glucose to produce energy for the brain. An absence of thiamine, therefore, results in an inadequate supply of energy to the brain, particularly the hypothalamus.”

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome includes two stages: Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff amnesic syndrome. However, a person can have Korsakoff syndrome without first having Wernicke encephalopathy.

This type of dementia is generally associated with alcoholism, but it may also result from other conditions, such as malnutrition, that cause harmful nutritional deficiencies. 

Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome 

Symptoms vary depending on whether a person has both stages of WKS, but common symptoms include: 

• Mental confusion and disorientation 

• Vision problems 

• Low blood pressure 

• Lack of muscle coordination 

• Tremors 

• Memory loss 

• Reduced motivation 

• Repetitive speech 

• Inaccurate or fabricated recollections of events 

Treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome 

Medical experts recommend injectable thiamine to improve the acute symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy. Continued treatment with thiamine, magnesium, and other vitamins is recommended for people who later develop Korsakoff syndrome. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Abstaining from alcohol and maintaining a healthy diet is a cornerstone of effective long-term treatment.” 

Dementia caregiver resources: you’re not alone 

Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, but support and guidance are available to help you understand your loved one’s changing needs and explore specialized care. 

Finding memory care communities 

If your loved one needs structured memory care support, you can look for senior living communities that specialize in caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.