Definition of Dementia

"Dementia is the decline in the memory and other cognitive functions in comparison with the patient's previous level of function as determined by a history of decline in performance and by abnormalities noted from clinical examination and neuropsychological tests.

A diagnosis of dementia cannot be made when consciousness is impaired or when other clinical abnormalities prevent other adequate evaluation of mental state. Dementia is a diagnosis based on behavior and cannot be determined by brain scan, EEG or other laboratory instruments, although specific causes of dementia may be identified by these means."

* NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) work group, 1984

Alzheimer's Dementia
Alzheimer's Association

Lewy Body Dementia
Alzheimer's Association

Frontotemporal Lobar Dementias:
The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (including FTD, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Semantic Dementia, Pick’s disease, and corticobasal degeneration)

Pick's Disease - Frontotemporal NINDS Information Page

Vascular Dementia:
Binswanger’s Disease NINDS Information Page
Multi-Infarct Dementia NINDS Information Page

Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia
The National Parkinson Foundation

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