Dementia

The most common types of dementia

Alzheimer's is the best known and most common type of dementia. Below we list the four most common types of dementia for you.

Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's is the most well-known type of dementia. About 70 percent of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. It often begins with memory problems and difficulty with daily activities. In later stages, many other symptoms are added.

Vascular dementia

After alzheimer's, vascular dementia is the most common type of dementia. The cause is a problem in the blood supply to the brain. What symptoms you get depends on the brain area where the damage is.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is less common than alzheimer's and vascular dementia. This type is more common in younger people. You often notice changes in behavior or problems with language and speech (aphasia) first. FTD is harder to recognize because you don't readily think of dementia in younger people.

Lewy body dementia (LBD)

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is less common than alzheimer's and vascular dementia. With this form, people can deteriorate quickly, but sometimes they remain stable for a while. A person with Lewy body dementia often also develops symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors and difficulty moving.

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Medications for dementia

In the Netherlands, there are four medications available that are used to treat dementia: galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil and memantine. These drugs do not cure dementia, but they can help make symptoms less likely to worsen. They are mainly used in Alzheimer's disease, but also in other forms of dementia such as Parkinson's dementia and Lewy body dementia.

1. Galantamine, rivastigmine and donepezil

   These drugs are often prescribed in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, and sometimes in later stages of Parkinson's dementia and Lewy body dementia. They help improve memory and daily skills, allowing a person with dementia to continue to function independently for longer.

2. Memantine

   This drug works mainly in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It makes brain cells function better and protects them from further damage. It can cause a person to become calmer and better able to cope with daily challenges.

How do these medications work?

The effect of medications against dementia varies from person to person. It is therefore important to start treatment as early as possible, because the earlier you start, the better the drugs can work. For example, they improve memory and performance of daily tasks, which can have a positive impact on quality of life.

It is good to realize, however, that these medications do not work equally well for everyone. In some people, the effect is greater than in others, and it may take some time to find the right dosage.

Side effects

Like other medications, dementia drugs can cause side effects. Galantamine and rivastigmine in particular can sometimes have unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, dizziness or diarrhea. With memantine, these side effects are less common. Are you worried about side effects? If so, always contact your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you reduce the side effects as best they can or find an alternative.

Medications for other complaints

In addition to medications specifically designed to treat dementia, many people with dementia experience other complaints such as gloom, anxiety, insomnia or aggression. Medications such as antidepressants or sedatives may also be prescribed for these symptoms. These types of medications can help improve quality of life.

Dementia is a profound disease that unfortunately cannot yet be cured. Yet medication can play an important role in slowing the disease process and improving quality of life. The earlier a person with dementia begins medication, the greater the chance of improvement. Do you have questions about medication or concerns about side effects? Discuss this with us. Together we will find the best treatment.