Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: Key Differences Explained

The main difference between dementia and Alzheimer's is that the former is a group of symptoms, while the latter is a disorder of the brain. Cognitive deterioration brought on by Alzheimer's disease eventually results in dementia. It is the most common cause of dementia.

Knowing the distinctions between Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is important for patients as well as their families and caregivers, who play an essential role in providing support and making decisions. Alzheimer's disease is a particular brain illness with its own treatment strategy and development pattern, whereas dementia is a syndrome brought on by a number of disorders. Early intervention, medical assistance, and care planning can improve results when symptoms like forgetfulness, sense of disorientation, mood swings, and trouble with language or problem-solving are identified early.

This article will help you understand the important differences, symptoms, and significance of receiving the correct diagnosis, whether you're attempting to make informed health decisions or are looking for further information for a loved one.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is just one of several illnesses that can cause dementia; each disease has a distinctive impact on the brain. These changes often manifest as a reduction in cognitive skills including thinking, remembering, and problem-solving, along with behavioural and emotional disturbances. Many years before symptoms appear, Alzheimer's disease begins to develop in the brain.

Alzheimer's often strikes those over 65. Because the early symptoms are minor, people can continue with their regular daily activities. Only later do symptoms worsen to the point when the severity of "dementia" is at its peak.

What is Dementia?

The word dementia refers to issues with thinking or memory. "Cognitive decline" is the term used to describe how these symptoms worsen over time. Disease in the brain is the cause of dementia. Aging does not naturally cause it. The following are typical signs of dementia:

Memory loss, such as difficulty remembering recent events
Confusion, and needing assistance with everyday tasks, such as difficulty making decisions, solving problems, or following instructions (like preparing a meal)
Language and comprehension issues, such as trouble following a conversation or finding the right word for something
Behavioural changes, such as becoming unusually agitated, depressed, or anxious; or memory loss, such as trouble following a conversation or finding the right word for something.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Each person's situation is really different. Not everyone will experience memory issues in the beginning. Alzheimer's disease and all other forms of dementia are progressive illnesses. This indicates that while its symptoms are initially mild, they gradually worsen. Sadly, dementia is a terminal condition and responsible for many deaths globally.

Alzheimer's disease often begins in and around the memory-related area of the brain. Rarer forms of dementia, on the other hand, create a different set of symptoms since the disease begins in a different area of the brain. This condition is referred to as "atypical Alzheimer's." For instance, Alzheimer's disease produces posterior cortical atrophy at the rear of the brain, which mostly results in vision problems.

The accumulation of two substances in the brain known as "amyloid" and "tau" is one of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease. However, there are many other contributing factors. These proteins have been identified as a key factor in the internal brain dysfunction associated with this illness. These proteins aggregate and create microscopic formations known as plaques and tangles in the brain tissue. This impairs the brain's ability to function normally.

What are the Other Types of Dementia?

Following are the various types of dementia:

Type of Dementia	Description
Vascular Dementia	Second most common type of dementia, caused by problems with the blood supply to parts of the brain.
Lewy Body Dementia	Caused by the buildup of Lewy bodies—tiny protein clumps—in the brain. It has two main types:
→ Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)	Occurs when dementia symptoms appear first as the main signs of Lewy body disease.
→ Parkinson’s Disease Dementia	Arises when Parkinson’s disease, which initially affects movement, progresses over several years to include dementia symptoms.
Frontotemporal Dementia	A less common form of dementia caused by disease affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
Mixed Dementia	Diagnosis given when symptoms from more than one type of dementia are present—commonly a mix of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Key Differences Between Alzheimer’s Disease and. Dementia

Aspect	Dementia	Alzheimer’s Disease
Definition	Umbrella term for a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.	A specific brain disease that is the most common cause of dementia.
Nature	Not a disease itself, but a syndrome caused by various brain disorders.	A progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes brain cells to die.
Symptoms	Memory loss, poor judgment, language difficulties, behavior changes, decreased attention and reasoning skills.	Early symptoms include memory loss, difficulty with thinking and reasoning. As it progresses: confusion, personality changes, and severe cognitive decline.
Progression	Depends on the underlying cause; may progress slowly or rapidly.	Gradually worsens over time in a predictable pattern.
Causes/Types	Includes Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and others.	Caused by abnormal buildup of proteins (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) in the brain.
Diagnosis	Based on symptoms; further testing required to identify the specific type.	Can be diagnosed through cognitive tests, brain scans, and confirmed post-mortem.
Treatability	Some types are manageable or reversible if caused by treatable conditions (e.g., vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects).	No cure; medications and therapies can help manage symptoms.

Conclusion

When a person is diagnosed with dementia, the doctor should preferably identify the type of dementia they have. This doesn’t always happen though because it might be challenging to determine the cause of dementia, especially in its early stages. Determining the root cause of dementia at an early stage is not always necessary, but it can help the patient receive the appropriate care and understand their symptoms better.

Know the red flags of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Trust IBS Hospital for personalised, compassionate, expert care—book your appointment now!

FAQs

Q1: In what ways does Alzheimer's vary from other forms of dementia?
A: Alzheimer's disease typically commences with memory problems, while other dementias (such as Lewy body dementia or frontotemporal dementia) might start with behavioural, motor, or visual hallucinations.

Q2: How is diagnosis of dementia made?
A: Brain imaging (such as MRI or CT), neurological and cognitive tests, a review of medical history, and occasionally laboratory testing to rule out other illnesses are all part of the diagnosis process.

Q3: Which age group is the most susceptible to Alzheimer's?
A: People of age 65 and older are the most susceptible to suffer from Alzheimer's disease. However, individuals in their 40s or 50s may get early-onset Alzheimer's.

By -Dr Aaksha Shukla | April 30, 2025 | 9 Min Read