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Information Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs
with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language,
judgment, and behavior. See also: Alzheimer's disease Chronic
brain syndrome; Lewy body dementia; DLB; Vascular dementia; Mild
cognitive impairment; MCI Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Most types of dementia are nonreversible (degenerative).
Nonreversible means the changes in the brain that are causing
the dementia cannot be stopped or turned back. Alzheimer's
disease is the most common type of dementia. Lewy body disease
is a leading cause of dementia in elderly adults. People with
this condition have abnormal protein structures in certain areas
of the brain. Dementia also can be due to many small strokes.
This is called vascular dementia. The following medical
conditions also can lead to dementia: Some causes of dementia
may be stopped or reversed if they are found soon enough,
including: Dementia usually occurs in older a