I did not see much distinction in the Alzheimer's Project about different types of dimentia. So many of you on these pages have LO that have something other than Alzheimer's. Are these other dimential problems included in the 5.3 million are would those others be over and above the 5.3? Somewhere I seem to remember a statement that ultimately all these other dimentias all end up as Alzheimer's in the end.
Bill, I don't know if the 5.3 includes all dementia. The hallmark of alzheimer's is memory loss and ultimate death, which these other dementias eventually result in also. They just start off differently and other treatments and medication may help. That is why a proper dx is important.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131
Below is an excerpt from 2007 blog on Mayo Clinic site by Angela Lunde.
"In a previous posting, I mentioned that there are many forms of dementia, and although Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 percent to 70 percent of cases of dementia, other disorders that cause dementia include: vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
In the early stages of these diseases, there can be some clear distinctions between each of them. However, late in the disease all dementias appear more alike than different. I bring this up again, because some of you may have seen news stories recently of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico announcing his retirement because he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)."
Here's the way it has always been explained to me. Dementia is a SYMPTOM, not a disease. It is like having a fever. The doctor has to figure out what is causing the fever. It could be flu, pneumonia, a strep infection - it could be a million different diseases. Same with dementia. The doctor has to find out what is CAUSING the dementia. It could be a stroke, a tumor, a vitamin deficiency, or Alzheimer's Disease or Frontal Lobe Dementia, or Lewy Body's Disease or a lot of other diseases. Last statistic I heard was that 70% of dementias are caused by Alzheimer's Disease.
As to your question about the 5.3 million people having other types of dementia being counted in with those with Alzheimer's Disease - I don't think so. They were very specific in the documentary about discussing the Alzheimer genes and the plaques and tangles in the brain that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease.
I just finished watching the first of the 2 parter on the science, and there was a whole section on vascular disease (they didn't call it vascular dementia or cardio-vascular dementia). It was the first time in the series that I saw them talking about any of the other dementias.
They did mention that this was one dementia where they already knew how to prevent and treat the disease, but they also said that it was very common for people with vascular disease to also have Alzheimer's. I already knew that. <grin>
Bill, Joan is absolutely correct in her definition of dementia. I have been told exactly the same thing by DH's doctor. Often people ask, "Does he have dementia or does he have Alzheimer's?" Often, it's just not worth "a lesson". Othertimes, if I think they really care, I answer it as Joan did.
So little is known by the common man about these diseases. That, in itself, is one of our challenges.