Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is marked by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline, with symptoms classified into early, middle, and late stages. Early-stage AD involves mild memory lapses and difficulties in planning, while middle-stage symptoms escalate to speech difficulties, mood fluctuations, and impaired daily functioning. Late-stage AD patients experience severe memory loss, communication breakdowns, and personality changes, often requiring 24-hour care. AD’s hallmark features—beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles—accumulate abnormally in the brain, disrupting nerve cell function and driving the disease’s progression.

Distinguishing AD from other conditions like delirium or similar dementias is critical for diagnosis and treatment. Delirium, a sudden onset condition caused by acute illness or trauma, differs from AD in its rapid progression and potential reversibility. Other forms of dementia, such as Lewy body, vascular, mixed, and frontotemporal dementia, share overlapping symptoms with AD but differ in their causes and progression. While there is no cure for AD, early diagnosis allows patients to plan care, pursue symptomatic treatments, and adopt lifestyle changes that can slow cognitive decline. Primary care physicians, specialists, and caregivers play essential roles in identifying symptoms and providing support across the disease continuum.

Reference: Rao M. Delirium vs Dementia in Older Adults: Types, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Neurology Advisor. Published August 30, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2024. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/features/delirium-vs-dementia/?utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEURO-NEURO-AG-09-19-2024&hmemail=tc3XBBqzSJJNLS6jvphXkPPtfpnKDAau&sha256email=fb07b31a2f6973869b878ae1eacc92071a0fa4af4be05bf3dc6daeb76f1c24eb&hmsubid=&nid=1891860508&elqtrack=True