What Causes Dementia?
There are several things that could cause dementia:
Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Diseases that affect blood vessels, such as stroke, which can cause a disorder known as multi-infarct dementia.
Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use.
There are several things that could cause dementia:
Diseases that cause degeneration or loss of nerve cells in the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Diseases that affect blood vessels, such as stroke, which can cause a disorder known as multi-infarct dementia.
Toxic reactions, like excessive alcohol or drug use.
Nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.
Infections that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as AIDS dementia complex and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Certain types of hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain that can result from developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumors.
Head injury -- either a single severe head injury or longer term smaller injuries, like in boxers.
Illnesses other than in the brain, such as kidney, liver, and lung diseases, can all lead to dementia.