UNIT 17 -
A.P1 And P2 and M2 Explain the causes of three different types of dementia including symptoms.
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia effecting around 150,000 people in the
UK. It is caused by the restriction of blood flow to the brain which is caused via stroke/ blood clotting in the
brain which causes brain tissue damage Vascular dementia can happen in a single stroke or a series of small
strokes around areas of the brain; with each stroke leading to worsening of symptoms (explained later).
There are many conditions that restrict and narrow blood vessels in the brain, most common attributer
being atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of a combination of cholesterol, fats and other
substances in the blood vessels leading to narrowing of blood vessels which can lead to high risks of blood
sticking to the plaque and building up in the vessel eventually leading to blood clotting and stroke in the
brain (diagram below).
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024)
A high blood pressure is another risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure can lead to damage in the vessel
lining which allows cholesterol present in the blood to clog the damaged area and since plaque is sticky;
this plaque builds up overtime leading to development in Atherosclerosis. Individuals 65 and over are more
at risk of vascular dementia.
Although Vascular dementia has no cure/ damage occurred to the brain tissue cannot be reversed;
treatment for causes of vascular dementia can slow down this damage such as blood thinners and dieting
in the effort to reduce damage to blood vessels. The main cause of plaque buildup in the blood vessels is an
unhealthy lifestyle such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption which all promote high cholesterol
levels in blood. By partaking in a healthy diet, this can reduce cholesterol presence in the blood and lower
blood pressure as a healthier diet often consists of less sodium/salt intake which is a cause of development
of high blood pressure.
,Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia.
Early symptoms of vascular dementia (VD) are often mild but still identifiable such as slowing thoughts,
planning and concentration; however although individuals sometimes have issues with memory retention,
it is very uncommon as opposed to sufferers of Alzheimer’s as vascular dementia effects people differently
depending on what region of the brain gets oxygen cut of causing brain tissue death as opposed to
Alzheimer’s which predominantly effects the hippocampus of the brain in charge for short term memory
retention early on. Often symptoms get gradually worse over time into later symptoms and signs which
includes incontinence/ loss of bladder control, depression and significant confusion, disorientation and
specifically mood swings such as aggression. (NHS, 2023)
Early symptoms of VD can often effect on an individual’s mood. An individual with VD can often go from
cheery to anxious or unbothered (apathetic). Depression is also a common symptom due to damage to
parts of the brain responsible for emotion (such as the frontal temporal lobes) or simply due to anxieties
of having VD due to how sudden VD can occur after a stroke (which can also happen unexpectedly).
(NHS, 2023)
Shifts in behaviour can also be perceived in individuals with VD. Some individuals can become agitated
or aggressive and act out of character such as inappropriate laughter/ an individual can laugh during a
conversation even when nothing funny is said, which often leads to embarrassment and distress for the
individual as well as family or friends. (NHS, 2023)
VD can also cause tremors if a stroke occurs in the region called the basal ganglia leading to damage of
this region. The basal ganglia helps the brain control bodily movement and often, if a stroke occurs in this
area it can lead to said tremors/ uncontrollable shake, balance problems and muscle weakness, which
can make it very difficult to do tasks such as brushing teeth or handwriting. (Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s the most prolific form of dementia effecting nearly 1 million individuals in the UK accounting
for more than a third of individuals suffering from forms of dementia. major attributers to an increase
Alzheimer’s are an ageing population as dementia mainly effects older individuals 65+ but can appear in
people younger. (Alzheimer's Society, 2024).
Alzheimer’s is caused by the abnormal build-up of both Tau tangles and Amyloid plaques present in brain
tissue. An abnormal build-up of Tau protein in neurons can cause them to tangle and block communication
with other neurons whilst amyloid plaques build up around a neuron which disrupts its function causing
neuron death/ degeneration. (National Institute on Aging, 2024). Currently as of 2025 there is no cure for
Alzheimer’s.
Risk factors
There is no specific trigger for Alzheimer’s, however there are many risk factors that increases the
chances of getting Alzheimer’s. Age is the main factor for Alzheimer’s. as individuals reach the age of 65,
the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every 5 years, however it can also be present in individuals around the
age of 40 which is called early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Family history also plays a role in the risk of
, developing Alzheimer’s. having multiple family members having Alzheimer’s can slightly increase the risk
of Alzheimer’s, however some families have a singular gene that makes the risk of having Alzheimer’s
significantly higher. Individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS) are also at higher risk of Alzheimer’s. Genetic
changes associated with DS also causes amyloid buildup which causes Alzheimer’s (NHS, 2021)
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s symptom stages are often categorised into three stages of severity this includes early middle
and late stages in ascending order of severity. Alzheimer’s early on mainly targets the hippocampus
involved in the storing of short-term memory; individuals will most likely experience short term memory
loss such as not remembering where they put an item earlier forgetting recent conversations or
disorientation during the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Middle stage Alzheimer’s is generally the longest lasting stage of Alzheimer’s as well as symptoms being
more identifiable. Symptoms of this stage may include, trouble controlling bowel and bladder, loss of sleep
and restlessness and increased confusion such as inability to remember time of day or the year. Individuals
in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s often need daily assistance such as getting dressed/ hygiene and meals
but generally do not need 24/7 care.
An individual in later stages experience loss and language and speech and struggle with swallowing and
mobility often needing 24/7 all around care as individuals often cannot properly care for themselves due to
severe memory issues and mental decline (such as washing and dressing oneself). This stage of Alzheimer’s
is the last stage of Alzheimer’s and individuals in this stage often only have 1 to 2 years to live according to
the Alzheimer’s Society (The Later Stage of Dementia, 2025). Some symptoms of late-stage dementia is
severe memory loss such as loss of time perception, severe speech impediment and general confusion.
When other causes are ruled out via tests a diagnostic tool called a MRI/CT scan comprehensively scan an
individual’s brain analysing areas of shrinkage in the brain (appears white on scans) in the case for
Azheimer’s, the patient who has Alzheimer’s has shrinkage on the hippocampus (roughly located in the
middle of the brain) which is responsible for short term memory so this is why short term memory is
prevalent early on. Unlike other types of dementia, Alzheimer’s effects the hippocampus/ short term
memory early on meaning that patients who report symptoms involving memory loss is often associated
with Alzheimer’s, however later stages of Alzheimer’s is often unidentifiable with other dementia in terms
of memory loss such as FTD or Vascular dementia which both effect memory loss later on so memory loss
alone is not conclusive to Alzheimer’s depending on stages.
Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD)
Frontal temporal dementia is an uncommon form of dementia accounting for 1 in 30 individuals in the
people in the UK who had been diagnosed (mostly individuals over 65) with a type of dementia according
to Alzheimer’s Research UK. (Williams, 2023). FTD is caused by build-up of protein in the frontal and
temporal lobes of the brain that control language, behaviour and organisation. There is currently not
enough research on the causes of FTD however there is a higher chance to get FTD if family such as parents
A.P1 And P2 and M2 Explain the causes of three different types of dementia including symptoms.
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia effecting around 150,000 people in the
UK. It is caused by the restriction of blood flow to the brain which is caused via stroke/ blood clotting in the
brain which causes brain tissue damage Vascular dementia can happen in a single stroke or a series of small
strokes around areas of the brain; with each stroke leading to worsening of symptoms (explained later).
There are many conditions that restrict and narrow blood vessels in the brain, most common attributer
being atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of a combination of cholesterol, fats and other
substances in the blood vessels leading to narrowing of blood vessels which can lead to high risks of blood
sticking to the plaque and building up in the vessel eventually leading to blood clotting and stroke in the
brain (diagram below).
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024)
A high blood pressure is another risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure can lead to damage in the vessel
lining which allows cholesterol present in the blood to clog the damaged area and since plaque is sticky;
this plaque builds up overtime leading to development in Atherosclerosis. Individuals 65 and over are more
at risk of vascular dementia.
Although Vascular dementia has no cure/ damage occurred to the brain tissue cannot be reversed;
treatment for causes of vascular dementia can slow down this damage such as blood thinners and dieting
in the effort to reduce damage to blood vessels. The main cause of plaque buildup in the blood vessels is an
unhealthy lifestyle such as obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption which all promote high cholesterol
levels in blood. By partaking in a healthy diet, this can reduce cholesterol presence in the blood and lower
blood pressure as a healthier diet often consists of less sodium/salt intake which is a cause of development
of high blood pressure.
,Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia.
Early symptoms of vascular dementia (VD) are often mild but still identifiable such as slowing thoughts,
planning and concentration; however although individuals sometimes have issues with memory retention,
it is very uncommon as opposed to sufferers of Alzheimer’s as vascular dementia effects people differently
depending on what region of the brain gets oxygen cut of causing brain tissue death as opposed to
Alzheimer’s which predominantly effects the hippocampus of the brain in charge for short term memory
retention early on. Often symptoms get gradually worse over time into later symptoms and signs which
includes incontinence/ loss of bladder control, depression and significant confusion, disorientation and
specifically mood swings such as aggression. (NHS, 2023)
Early symptoms of VD can often effect on an individual’s mood. An individual with VD can often go from
cheery to anxious or unbothered (apathetic). Depression is also a common symptom due to damage to
parts of the brain responsible for emotion (such as the frontal temporal lobes) or simply due to anxieties
of having VD due to how sudden VD can occur after a stroke (which can also happen unexpectedly).
(NHS, 2023)
Shifts in behaviour can also be perceived in individuals with VD. Some individuals can become agitated
or aggressive and act out of character such as inappropriate laughter/ an individual can laugh during a
conversation even when nothing funny is said, which often leads to embarrassment and distress for the
individual as well as family or friends. (NHS, 2023)
VD can also cause tremors if a stroke occurs in the region called the basal ganglia leading to damage of
this region. The basal ganglia helps the brain control bodily movement and often, if a stroke occurs in this
area it can lead to said tremors/ uncontrollable shake, balance problems and muscle weakness, which
can make it very difficult to do tasks such as brushing teeth or handwriting. (Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s the most prolific form of dementia effecting nearly 1 million individuals in the UK accounting
for more than a third of individuals suffering from forms of dementia. major attributers to an increase
Alzheimer’s are an ageing population as dementia mainly effects older individuals 65+ but can appear in
people younger. (Alzheimer's Society, 2024).
Alzheimer’s is caused by the abnormal build-up of both Tau tangles and Amyloid plaques present in brain
tissue. An abnormal build-up of Tau protein in neurons can cause them to tangle and block communication
with other neurons whilst amyloid plaques build up around a neuron which disrupts its function causing
neuron death/ degeneration. (National Institute on Aging, 2024). Currently as of 2025 there is no cure for
Alzheimer’s.
Risk factors
There is no specific trigger for Alzheimer’s, however there are many risk factors that increases the
chances of getting Alzheimer’s. Age is the main factor for Alzheimer’s. as individuals reach the age of 65,
the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every 5 years, however it can also be present in individuals around the
age of 40 which is called early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Family history also plays a role in the risk of
, developing Alzheimer’s. having multiple family members having Alzheimer’s can slightly increase the risk
of Alzheimer’s, however some families have a singular gene that makes the risk of having Alzheimer’s
significantly higher. Individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS) are also at higher risk of Alzheimer’s. Genetic
changes associated with DS also causes amyloid buildup which causes Alzheimer’s (NHS, 2021)
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s symptom stages are often categorised into three stages of severity this includes early middle
and late stages in ascending order of severity. Alzheimer’s early on mainly targets the hippocampus
involved in the storing of short-term memory; individuals will most likely experience short term memory
loss such as not remembering where they put an item earlier forgetting recent conversations or
disorientation during the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Middle stage Alzheimer’s is generally the longest lasting stage of Alzheimer’s as well as symptoms being
more identifiable. Symptoms of this stage may include, trouble controlling bowel and bladder, loss of sleep
and restlessness and increased confusion such as inability to remember time of day or the year. Individuals
in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s often need daily assistance such as getting dressed/ hygiene and meals
but generally do not need 24/7 care.
An individual in later stages experience loss and language and speech and struggle with swallowing and
mobility often needing 24/7 all around care as individuals often cannot properly care for themselves due to
severe memory issues and mental decline (such as washing and dressing oneself). This stage of Alzheimer’s
is the last stage of Alzheimer’s and individuals in this stage often only have 1 to 2 years to live according to
the Alzheimer’s Society (The Later Stage of Dementia, 2025). Some symptoms of late-stage dementia is
severe memory loss such as loss of time perception, severe speech impediment and general confusion.
When other causes are ruled out via tests a diagnostic tool called a MRI/CT scan comprehensively scan an
individual’s brain analysing areas of shrinkage in the brain (appears white on scans) in the case for
Azheimer’s, the patient who has Alzheimer’s has shrinkage on the hippocampus (roughly located in the
middle of the brain) which is responsible for short term memory so this is why short term memory is
prevalent early on. Unlike other types of dementia, Alzheimer’s effects the hippocampus/ short term
memory early on meaning that patients who report symptoms involving memory loss is often associated
with Alzheimer’s, however later stages of Alzheimer’s is often unidentifiable with other dementia in terms
of memory loss such as FTD or Vascular dementia which both effect memory loss later on so memory loss
alone is not conclusive to Alzheimer’s depending on stages.
Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD)
Frontal temporal dementia is an uncommon form of dementia accounting for 1 in 30 individuals in the
people in the UK who had been diagnosed (mostly individuals over 65) with a type of dementia according
to Alzheimer’s Research UK. (Williams, 2023). FTD is caused by build-up of protein in the frontal and
temporal lobes of the brain that control language, behaviour and organisation. There is currently not
enough research on the causes of FTD however there is a higher chance to get FTD if family such as parents
