Journal of Dementia
Open Access

 

Journal of Dementia is one of the best open access journal that aims to publish the most complete and reliable source of information on discoveries and current developments in the mode of original articles, review articles, case reports, short communications, etc. in the field and provide free access through online without any restrictions or any other subscriptions to researchers worldwide.

This scholarly publishing is using Editorial Manager System for online manuscript submission, review and Article tracking. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of Internal Medicine Journal or outside experts; at least two independent reviewer’s approval followed by the editor is required for the acceptance of any citable manuscript.

Dementia is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a long term. Dementia is not a single disease in itself, but a general term to describe symptoms of impairment in memory, communication, and thinking. Dementia increases with age; it is not a normal part of aging.

Dementias can be caused by brain cell death, and neurodegenerative disease - progressive brain cell death that happens over time - is associated with most dementias. Dementia can be caused by a head injury, a stroke, or a brain tumour, among other causes. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which makes up 50% to 70% of cases. Other common types include vascular dementia (25%), Lewy body dementia (15%), and frontotemporal dementia, Post-traumatic dementia, Parkinson's disease, alpha-synucleinm, Huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Down syndrome.

Early signs of dementia

Early signs of dementia can be subtle and often mistaken for normal aging. Common early symptoms include memory loss, particularly forgetting recently learned information, and difficulty with planning or solving problems, such as managing finances or following a recipe. People may also experience confusion with time or place, struggling to remember dates or get lost in familiar locations. Other signs include difficulty completing familiar tasks, like driving to a known location, and challenges with speaking or writing, such as finding the right words. Personality and mood changes are also common, including increased anxiety, depression, or irritability. Withdrawal from social activities, hobbies, or work can also signal the onset of dementia. Recognizing these early signs is crucial for seeking medical advice and exploring treatment options that may help slow progression.

Virtual Reality for Dementia

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising tool for dementia care by offering immersive environments that stimulate memory, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. VR applications can recreate familiar settings or introduce engaging activities tailored to the individual's preferences and past experiences. This technology helps in reducing agitation and anxiety, enhancing social interaction, and providing mental stimulation. By simulating real-life scenarios or serene landscapes, VR aids in preserving cognitive abilities and improving quality of life for dementia patients. As research progresses, VR could become a valuable adjunct to traditional therapies in managing dementia's symptoms and enhancing patient care.

Technology for Dementia Care

Technology for dementia care is rapidly evolving to enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia and support their caregivers. Innovations in this field include wearable devices that track vital signs, activity levels, and even mood changes, helping caregivers monitor health and detect potential issues early. Smart home technology, such as automated lighting and voice-activated systems, can assist with daily tasks and ensure safety by reducing the risk of accidents. Cognitive stimulation and engagement tools are another crucial aspect of technology in dementia care. Applications and digital games designed for cognitive training can help maintain mental acuity and provide stimulation. Virtual reality (VR) is also being explored for its potential to offer immersive experiences that can evoke positive memories and reduce anxiety. Communication aids are improving the interaction between individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Apps that facilitate simple, intuitive communication and picture-based messaging help bridge the gap when verbal communication becomes challenging. Additionally, telehealth services enable remote consultations, offering timely medical advice and support without the need for travel.

Cognitive Stimulation Apps

Cognitive stimulation apps are designed to enhance mental acuity through interactive exercises and games. These apps often feature puzzles, memory tasks, and problem-solving activities tailored to various cognitive functions, such as attention, reasoning, and language skills. Popular examples include Lumosity, which offers a range of brain training games, and Elevate, which provides personalized challenges to improve skills in reading, writing, and math. By regularly engaging with these apps, users can potentially boost their cognitive abilities, maintain mental sharpness, and even delay the onset of cognitive decline.

Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline refers to a gradual deterioration in cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. This decline can be a normal part of aging but is often accelerated by various factors including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or vascular issues. Symptoms may include difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and impaired judgment, impacting daily life and independence. Early detection and management, such as cognitive training, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions, are crucial in slowing progression and improving quality of life for those affected. Regular mental stimulation and a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate some of the risks associated with cognitive decline.

Dementia Therapy

Dementia therapy encompasses a range of approaches aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia. Cognitive therapies, such as memory training and reality orientation, help maintain cognitive function and delay the progression of symptoms. These therapies often involve structured exercises and activities that engage the brain and enhance memory, problem-solving, and communication skills. Behavioral therapies address the emotional and psychological challenges of dementia, including anxiety, depression, and aggression. Techniques like reminiscence therapy, which involves discussing past experiences, and validation therapy, which acknowledges the person’s feelings, are commonly used to reduce distress and improve mood.

Parkinson disease

A slowly progressive neurological illness that's characterised by a set uncommunicative face, tremor at rest, swiftness of voluntary movements, gait with short fast steps, peculiar posture and muscle weakness (caused by degeneration of a section of the brain referred to as the basal ganglia), and low production of the neurochemical Intropin.

Alzheimer's disorder

Mental disorder is also referred to simply as Alzheimer's, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and worsens over time. It is the cause of 60% to 70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events (short-term memory loss). As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, and loss of motivation, not managing self-care, and behavioural issues.

Huntington's brain disorder

Huntington's is associate degree disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells within the brain. Chorea features a broad impact on a personality's useful talents and typically leads to movement, thinking (cognitive) and medical specialty disorders.

Traumatic dementia

Traumatic brain injury results from an impact to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Traumatic brain injury may affect a person’s cognitive abilities, including learning and thinking skills.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)-

It is a clinical symptom complicated caused by the build-up of humour. This condition is characterised by abnormal gait, enuresis, and (potentially reversible) dementedness.

Frontotemporal lobar's degeneration (FTLD)

It is a pathological process that occurs in frontotemporal dementia. It is characterized by atrophy in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the brain, with sparing of the parietal and occipital lobes.

Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease

CJD could be a transmissible, chop-chop profressive, inviariably fatal neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the build up of abnormal particle macromolecule within the neurons leading to their spongiform degeneration.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementedness (LBD) could be a common neurological disorder that impairs a personality's ability to try to to everyday activities. though the disorder often runs in families, most cases occur ad lib. supermolecule deposits made from alpha-synuclein type "Lewy bodies" in brain tissue that square measure known microscopically and square measure square measure characteristic of the sickness. The Lewy bodies accumulate in numerous areas of the brain, together with the pallium, and have an effect on the brain's ability to operate properly. LBD affects knowledge, sleep, mood, behavior, and movement.

Stoke-related Dementia

Stroke (“brain attack”) is a disease of the blood vessels in and around the brain. It occurs when part of the brain does not receive enough blood to function normally and the cells die (infarction), or when a blood vessel ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). Infarction is more common than hemorrhage and has a number of causes; for example, a vessel (artery) supplying blood to the brain can become blocked by a fatty deposit (plaque), which can form clots and send pieces into vessels further in the brain, or these arteries become thickened or hardened, narrowing the space where the blood flows (atherosclerosis). In addition, clots can arise in the heart and travel to the brain

Neurological examination

A neurological examination is the assessment of sensory neuron and motor responses, especially reflexes, to determine whether the nervous system is impaired. This typically includes a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history but not deeper investigation such as neuroimaging.

Alpha-synuclein

Alpha-synuclein (also α-synuclein) is a protein whose function in the healthy brain is currently unknown. It is of great interest to Parkinson's researchers because it is a major constituent of Lewy bodies, protein clumps that are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. In CTE, a protein called Tau forms clumps that slowly spread throughout the brain, killing brain cells. CTE has been seen in people as young as 17, but symptoms do not generally begin appearing until years after the onset of head impacts. It is also called as Dementia Pugilistica.

Mild-cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more-serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes.

Posterior cortical Atrophy

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), also called Benson's syndrome, is a form of dementia which is usually considered an atypical variant of Alzheimer's disease.The disease causes atrophy of the posterior part of the cerebral cortex, resulting in the progressive disruption of complex visual processing. PCA was first described by D. Frank Benson in 1988.In rare cases, PCA can be caused by dementia with Lewy bodies and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.

Wernicke-korsakoff syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a type of brain disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B-1. The syndrome is actually two separate conditions that can occur at the same time. Usually, people get the symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy first.

Ischemtic storkes

Ischemic (“is-skeem-ic”) stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked. The brain depends on its arteries to bring fresh blood from the heart and lungs. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, and takes away carbon dioxide and cellular waste. If an artery is blocked, the brain cells (neurons) cannot make enough energy and will eventually stop working. If the artery remains blocked for more than a few minutes, the brain cells may die. This is why immediate medical treatment is critical.

Mixed dementia

Mixed dementia is a condition where changes representing more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain. In the most common form, the plaques and tangles associated with nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease are present along with blood vessel changes associated with vascular dementia.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

CST or 'Cognitive Stimulation Therapy', is a brief treatment for people with mild to moderate dementia.'Dementia' is an umbrella term, the two main types being Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia. CST was designed following extensive evaluation of research evidence, hence is an evidence-based treatment.UK Government NICE guidance on the management of dementia recommend the use of group Cognitive Stimulation for people with mild to moderate dementia, irrespective of drug treatments received.

Asperger syndrome

Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Asperger's, is a developmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.