Cognitive Decline Vs. Dementia

Cognitive decline and dementia are closely related mental disorders. Cognitive decline is a feature of dementia, which has numerous possible causes.

Definition

Cognitive decline refers to diminished and impaired cognitive functioning, which is a person's capacity to think, make decisions, use language and learn and remember information. Dementia refers to a group of symptoms caused by illnesses and injuries of the brain.

Types

There are various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Cognitive impairment is more noticeable and pronounced than a normal level of forgetfulness, according to the website of the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

Cognitive decline, involving memory loss, diminished language capabilities, impaired judgment and reason, is a symptom of dementia. Other symptoms may include behavioral disturbances, mood disturbances, hallucinations and delusions.

Cause

Normal aging can cause some degree of cognitive decline; rapid and severe cognitive decline may be attributed to conditions such as dementia. Dementia may be caused by a variety of diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, stroke, head injuries and toxic reactions to drugs and alcohol.

Considerations

Cognitive decline may be a long process that begins in a person's 20s, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia and described in 2009 by "Science Daily."

References

• Science, Health and Medicine information
• National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health
• WebMD