Different Dementias Chart
Different Dementias Chart
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Type of Dementia Brain Changes Average Age of Typical Symptoms Average Progression
Onset
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimers Disease Deterioration of brain After age 65, Issues with recent memory, 8-10 years of life after
(AD) cells, associated with most commonly word-finding, complicated symptom onset
amyloid plaques and around age 75 unfamiliar tasks, interpreting
Most common type of tau tangles meaning behind words Usually a steady
dementia Can have a progression with some
Left brain hippocampus genetic May develop insomnia, plateaus
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzh
eimers-disease-fact-sheet first affected, then component depression, motor issues,
spreads throughout restlessness, agitation, or
brain delusions
Old memories, familiar
patterns and tasks, and
motor skills are usually not
affected initially
Young Onset Deterioration of brain Between 29-60 Same as above, with more 10 years of life after
Alzheimers Disease cells, associated with years of age motor skill issues often symptom onset, usually
amyloid plaques and tau noted a rapid progression
https://www.mayoclinic.org/disease
s-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in- tangles Can have a after diagnosis but may
depth/alzheimers/art-20048356 genetic plateau towards the
Left brain hippocampus component
first affected, then end of the disease
spreads throughout
brain
Early Onset Familial Deterioration of brain Usually under the Same as above Same as above
Alzheimers Disease cells, associated with age of 65, often
(eFAD) amyloid plaques and as young as 30s
https://www.alzforum.org/early-
tau tangles or 40s
onset-familial-ad/overview/what-
early-onset-familial-alzheimer- Left brain hippocampus Caused by a
disease-efad
first affected, then familial gene
spreads throughout mutation
brain
Frontal Variant Deterioration of brain Usually over age Typical Alzheimer Disease 8-10 years of life after
Alzheimers Disease cells, associated with 65, often mid 70s symptoms, but demonstrate symptom onset, typical
(fvAD) amyloid plaques and tau more severe early decline in quicker initial cognitive
tangles cognitive, functional, decline than standard
https://minerva- neuropsychiatric, and global
access.unimelb.edu.au/bitstr Frontal lobes are form of Alzheimers
eam/handle/11343/32987/2
abilities Disease
affected much earlier in
94699_Does%20executive%
the disease than other
20impairment_Woodward.p
df?sequence=1&isAllowed=y forms of Alzheimers
Disease
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Progressive Deterioration of brain Around age 60 Slow or uncoordinated 6-10 years of life after
Supranuclear Palsy cells, associated with movements are often the symptom onset
(PSP) amyloid plaques and Rarely a genetic first symptoms
tau protein deposits component
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/typ Issues with eye movements,
es-frontotemporal-disorders.
loss of facial expressions,
stiffness of neck/trunk, and
falls are common; issues
with cognitive function,
behavior, and memory may
also develop
Limbic-Predominant ‘Secondary dementia’: 85-100 years of Symptoms, such as memory 8-15 years of life after
Age-Related TDP-43 caused by brain blood age loss, may be similar to symptom onset,
Encephalopathy (LATE) supply issues rather Alzheimers, but tends to generally has a slower
than a direct brain May account for 1 progress slower progression than other
New form of dementia disease in 4 cases of forms of dementia
recognized in 2020 dementia for
Associated with those over 90
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31
039256 abnormal TDP-43 years of age
protein accumulation
Corticobasal Degeneration of the 60 years of age Movement issues in one limb is 6-8 years of life after
Degeneration or cortex of the brain, often the first symptom, but symptom onset
Corticobasal Ganglionic especially the fronto- Might possibly be typically quickly affects all
Degeneration (CBD or parietal region, as well a genetic limbs.
CBGD) as parts of the basal component
ganglia Speech problems, cognitive
Sometimes considered function issues, and behavioral
to be a subtype of FTD Associated with tau changes are also common
protein accumulation or
https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/ amyloid plaques Sometimes behavioral changes
corticobasal- or speech problems occur
syndrome#:~:text=Corticobasal%20s
yndrome%20(CBS)%20is%20a,contro before movement issues
lling%20their%20arm%20or%20leg.
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Dementia with Lewy Deterioration of brain After age 55 Decreased focus, 7-9 years of life after
Bodies (DLB) cells, associated with hallucinations, delusional symptom onset
Lewy bodies, tiny Rarely a genetic thinking, insomnia,
Third most common component nightmares, swallowing May be periods of
spherical alpha-
type of dementia synuclein protein difficulties, intention near-normal cognition
https://www.medicalnewstoday.co deposits that disrupt tremors, declined motor alternating with
m/articles/314850.php#types
function of brain cells skills, some memory loss declined cognition
Dementia in Parkinson In Parkinson Disease, Around age 60 Motor symptoms nearly 10-20 years of life after
Disease (PDD) death of nerve cells in always precede cognitive Parkinson Disease
the brain result in a Can have a
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/par
impairment by several symptom onset
kinsons- deficiency of the genetic years
disease#:~:text=Parkinson's%20disea neurotransmitter component
se%20is%20a%20brain,have%20diffi
culty%20walking%20and%20talking. dopamine, which causes A majority of those with
motor and speech issues Parkinson Disease do not
develop dementia
Dementia in Parkinson
Disease: presence of
Lewy bodies
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Frontotemporal Deterioration of brain Varies based on Varies based on subtype Varies based on
Dementia (FTD; Pick’s cells in the frontal subtype subtype
Disease) and/or temporal parts
of the brain
Fourth most common
type of dementia Often associated with
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
tau protein
conditions/frontotemporal- accumulation, but not
dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-
20354737#:~:text=Frontotemporal%20 amyloid plaques
dementia%20is%20an%20umbrella,thes
e%20lobes%20shrink%20(atrophy). Several subtypes of FTD:
Behavioral Variant FTD Deterioration of cells in Early 50s Issues with disinhibition, 8-10 years of life after
(bvFTD) the frontal and/or repetitive behaviors, lack of symptom onset, may
temporal parts of the impulse control, egocentric be slightly shorter life
Most common type of brain behavior, depression, expectancy than other
FTD Can have a
overeating, impaired forms of
Often associated with genetic
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/typ judgement, and cognitive Frontotemporal
tau protein component
es-frontotemporal-disorders and executive functioning Dementia
accumulation, but not
amyloid plaques Later, issues with movement
and language typically also
occur, but memory is
preserved for many
Frontotemporal Deterioration of brain 40-60 years of age Frontotemporal symptoms 5-10 years of life after
Dementia with cells in the medial associated with Parkinsonian symptom onset
temporal lobe, as well as Caused by a features related to
Parkinsonism linked to
the frontal cortex and familial gene movement disorders such as
Chromosome 17 (FTDP
other brain areas mutation rigidity, reduced speed, and
-17)
uncontrolled movements
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condi Identified with autopsy and eye movements
tion/frontotemporal-dementia-with-
parkinsonism- posthumously
17/#:~:text=Frontotemporal%20demen
tia%20with%20parkinsonism%2D17%20
Early symptoms often
(FTDP%2D17)%20is,the%20frontal%20a
Associated with tau include behavioral and
nd%20temporal%20lobes. protein accumulation personality changes
Dementia Lacking Deterioration of brain 50-60 years of age Issues with personality 2-7 years of life after
Distinctive Histology cells in the left side of changes, speech, and symptom onset
frontal and/or temporal May have a swallowing
(DLDH; a type of FTD)
parts of the brain genetic
https://n.neurology.org/content/40/ component Memory loss and other
2/251
Often associated with symptoms typically also
tau protein develop
accumulation, but not
usually amyloid plaques
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Primary Progressive Deterioration of brain Most often Slowly lose the ability to 3-12 years of life after
Aphasia (PPA) cells in the left side of between age 50 speak, write, read, and symptom onset
frontal and/or and 75 comprehend language
Subtype of FTD with Patients often
temporal parts of the
two main types: brain Can have a Over time, issues with experience language
Semantic Variant PPA genetic memory and executive issues for an average of
and Nonfluent Variant Often associated with component functioning often occur, four years before going
PPA tau protein to the doctor
accumulation, but not Behavioral changes may
https://www.mayoclinic.org/disease
s-conditions/primary-progressive- amyloid plaques also occur
aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-
20350499
Semantic Variant Deterioration of brain Most often In this subtype of PPA, the 3-12 years of life after
Primary Progressive cells in the left side of between age 50 ability to comprehend symptom onset
Aphasia (SV-PPA) frontal and/or temporal and 75 words is affected
lobes
https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-
ftd/primary-progressive-
Can have a Speech is typically not
aphasia/semantic-variant-ppa- Often associated with genetic initially affected
svppa/ tau protein component
accumulation, but not
amyloid plaques
Progressive Nonfluent/ Deterioration of brain Most often In this subtype of PPA, the 3-12 years of life after
Agrammatic Aphasia cells in the left side of between age 50 ability to form speech is symptom onset
(NFV-PPA) frontal and/or temporal and 75 affected
lobes
https://www.theaftd.org/what-is- Can have a Comprehension is typically
ftd/primary-progressive-
aphasia/nonfluent-agrammatic-ppa- Often associated with genetic not initially affected
nfvppa/ tau protein component
accumulation, but not
usually amyloid plaques
Logopenic Aphasia Deterioration of brain 50-75 years of age In this subtype of PPA, the 3-12 years of life after
(also called Progressive cells, associated with a ability to find the right symptom onset
Can have a words while speaking is
Fluent Aphasia) decrease in tau
genetic affected
proteins rather than an
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseas component
es/10791/logopenic-progressive- accumulation
aphasia#:~:text=Logopenic%20progress Comprehension is typically
ive%20aphasia%20(LPA)%20is,primary
%20progressive%20aphasia%20(PPA).
not initially affected
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Huntington’s Disease Associated with an 30-50 years of Uncontrolled muscle 5-8 years of life after
abnormal accumulation age movement is typically the symptom onset
Also referred to as of the protein first symptom
Huntington’s Chorea Caused by a
huntingtin, causing
genetic mutation Behavioral and personality
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers- degeneration of the changes, cognitive function
dementia/what-is-dementia/types-
of-dementia/huntington-s- central area of the issues, irritability,
disease#:~:text=Huntington's%20dis brain depression, and obsessive-
ease%20(HD)%20is%20a,movement
%2C%20mood%20and%20thinking% compulsive behaviors are
20skills.
also common
Friedreich’s Ataxia Caused by 10-15 years of Lack of coordination or Varies based on severity
(FRDA or FA) degenerative changes age control of movement
in the sensory nerve (ataxia) during walking is Patients are usually
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disord Caused by an typically the first symptom wheelchair-dependent
ers/Patient-Caregiver- fibers of the spinal
Education/Fact- cord, resulting in inherited within 10-20 years from
Sheets/Friedreichs-Ataxia-Fact- recessive gene Slurred speech, cardiac symptom onset
Sheet reduced signals to the
mutation disease, scoliosis of the
cerebellum of the brain
spine, foot deformities, and
diabetes often develop
Autosomal Dominant Degeneration of the Varies based on Lack of coordination or Varies based on
Cerebellar Ataxia brain cerebellum subtype, but most control of movement subtype
(ADCA) common onset is (ataxia) during walking is
Includes many different in early adulthood typically the first symptom
https://rarediseases.org/rare- subtypes
diseases/autosomal-dominant-
hereditary-ataxia/ Caused by an Slurred speech, cardiac
inherited disease, scoliosis of the
dominant gene spine, foot deformities,
mutation vision disorders, sensory
loss, neuropathy, and
diabetes may develop
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Vascular Dementia A disease of the small Typically over 40 Issues with problem solving, Length of life after
blood vessels of the years of age, risk concentration, and planning; symptom onset varies
Second most common brain, which causes increases with age depressed or angry moods, widely from 3-30 years
type of dementia small strokes and areas daily fluctuations in ability,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/disease of bleeding Rarely a genetic apathy Step-wise progression
s-conditions/vascular- component that is often
dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-
20378793#:~:text=Vascular%20dem
Hypertension, high unpredictable and
entia%20is%20a%20general,t%20alw cholesterol, diabetes, spotty
ays%20cause%20vascular%20demen
tia.
and smoking are the
main risk factors
Cerebral Autosomal Caused by widespread Early 50s Often the initial symptom is 15-20 years of life after
Dominant Arteriopathy areas of damage to the migraine with aura episodes patient’s first stroke
with Subcortical deep layers of white Caused by an
Infarcts & matter in the brain. This inherited genetic Focal neurologic symptoms Step-wise progression
Leukoencephalopathy results in narrowing of mutation are common (deficit that is often
(CADASIL) the arteries that supply affecting one particular part unpredictable and
blood to the brain of the body), as are seizures, spotty
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorder vision issues, and psychiatric
s/All-Disorders/CADASIL-
Information-Page Hypertension, high problems (e.g., severe
cholesterol, diabetes, depression or personality
and smoking are the changes)
main risk factors, most
individuals have a May also be at increased risk
history of strokes for heart attacks
Normal Pressure Caused by excess Over 60 years of Difficulty walking, loss of Can be treated
Hydrocephalus (NPH) cerebrospinal fluid age bladder control, cognitive surgically with a shunt,
accumulation in the function issues
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorder good prognosis for
brain, causing brain
s/All-Disorders/Normal-Pressure- recovery if treated in a
Hydrocephalus-Information-Page ventricle enlargement
timely manner
and damage of
surrounding cells
Binswanger Disease Is actually a syndrome 50 years of age Issues with depression, Length of life after
with multiple causes apathy, inactivity, and symptom onset varies
Also known as White The risk factors difficulty in decision-making widely from 3-15 years
Matter Disease or have a genetic and judgement are often the
Subcortical Vascual component first signs. Step-wise progression
(Vascular?) Dementia that is often
Later, issues with speech, unpredictable and
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorder swallowing, incontinence, spotty
s/All-Disorders/Binswangers-
Disease-Information-Page and movement typically
occur.
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Triggered by a prion, a Varies based on Sudden issues with Varies based on subtype
Disease type of protein that can subtype depression, agitation,
apathy, mood swings, Typically: sudden onset
(CJD) cause disease
confusion, disorientation, of symptoms and fast
https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cjd memory, vision, progression of disease
/index.html
hallucinations, muscle
stiffness, judgement and
planning, and involuntary,
jerky movements
Sporadic Creutzfeldt- Triggered by a prion, a 65 years of age Sudden issues with Length of life after
Jakob Disease type of protein that can depression, agitation, symptom onset is
cause disease Cause is apathy, mood swings, typically less than one
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go unknown, confusion, disorientation, year
v/29887134/ memory, vision,
disease appears
without warning hallucinations, muscle
stiffness, judgement and
planning, and involuntary,
jerky movements
Familial or Genetic or Triggered by a prion, a 50 years of age Sudden issues with Length of life after
Hereditary Creutzfeldt- type of protein that can depression, agitation, symptom onset typically
Jakob Disease cause disease: Caused apathy, mood swings, less than one year
by an inherited genetic confusion, disorientation,
https://www.alzheimer-
mutation on a prion- memory, hallucinations, Extremely rapid
europe.org/Dementia/Other-forms-
of-dementia/Infectious- related protein gene, so vision, muscle stiffness, progression from
diseases/Human-Prion-
abnormal prions judgement and planning, symptom onset to
Diseases/Familial-CJD
accumulate in the brain and involuntary, jerky dementia symptoms
movements
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Fatal Familial Insomnia Triggered by a prion, a 45-50 years of age Insomnia is typically the first 1-6 years of life after
(FFI) type of protein that can symptom, mild initially then symptom onset
cause disease Inherited progressively worsens
https://rarediseases.org/rare- mutation in a
diseases/fatal-familial-insomnia/ Caused by an inherited prion-related Dementia, movement issues,
mutation in a prion- protein gene anxiety, sexual dysfunction,
related protein gene, so depression, autonomic
abnormal prions dysfunction, and often occur
accumulate in the
thalamus of the brain Sometimes dementia is the
first symptom
Sporadic Fatal Triggered by a prion, a 50-55 years of Cognitive decline and 1-8 years of life after
Insomnia type of protein that can age movement issues are symptom onset
(sFI) cause disease typically the first symptoms
No genetic
https://www.merckmanuals.com/pr
Insomnia is not usually a
Is not caused by a gene component
ofessional/neurologic- main symptom but can be
disorders/prion-diseases/fatal- mutation observed by a sleep study
insomnia
and can be used as a
diagnostic tool
Variably Protease- Triggered by a prion, a 70 years of age Psychiatric symptoms, An average of two
Sensitive Prionopathy type of protein that can speech issues, and cognitive years of life after
cause disease May have a
(VPSPr) impairment are initial symptom onset
genetic
symptoms
https://www.merckmanuals.com/pr
May have a genetic component
ofessional/neurologic- component, but no Movement issues often
disorders/prion-diseases/variably-
protease-sensitive-prionopathy-
specific gene mutation develop later
vpspr has been identified
Gerstmann-Straussler- Triggered by a prion, a 45 years of age Movement issues such as An average of five
Scheinker Disease type of protein that can unsteadiness and shakiness years of life after
cause disease Inherited
(GSS) are often initial symptom symptom onset
mutation in a
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorder
Caused by an inherited prion-related
s/All-Disorders/Gerstmann- mutation in a prion- protein gene Dementia typically occurs
Straussler-Scheinker-Disease-
related protein gene, so later
Information-Page
abnormal prions
accumulate in the brain
Post-Encephalitic A complication of an Dependent upon Movement issues, gait 9-24 years of life after
Parkinsonism (PEP) encephalitic viral age of instability, swallowing symptom onset
infection that was seen encephalitic issues, cognitive
https://www.alzheimer-
europe.org/Dementia/Other-forms- after World War I, infection impairment
of-dementia/Infectious- triggered degeneration
diseases/Postencephalitic- No genetic
Parkinsonism-PEP of nerve cells in the
component
substantia nigra of brain
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
HIV-Associated Majority of people with 60-70 years of age Memory problems, Length of life after
Dementia (HAD) HIV do not develop movement issues, anxiety, symptom onset is an
dementia, but HAD can No genetic
cognitive impairment, average of six months,
Previously named AIDS occur if the HIV infection component
speech problems, and some treatments may
Dementia Complex affects subcortical brain mood swings prolong life
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/h neurons
ealth/conditions-and-diseases/hiv-
and-aids/hiv-and-dementia
General Paresis or Triggered by a syphilis Dependent on Psychiatric symptoms most Rapidly progressive
Dementia Paralytica or bacterial infection age of syphilis common course of disease,
Late Neurosyphilis infection dementia can occur 10-
Dementia 30 years after initial
No genetic syphilis infection
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article
/000748.htm
component
Metabolic Diseases
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.
Types of Dementia
There are well over 100 different types of dementias. This chart lists some of the most well-known.
Traumatic Diseases
Chronic Traumatic Damage and shrinkage Can occur many Movement issues, Varies depending on
Encephalopathy (CTE) of brain nerve cells in years after brain cognitive impairment, extent of trauma
the cerebral cortex trauma aggression, and personality
Previously referred to and basal ganglia, changes are common
as Dementia Pugilistica triggered by traumatic
injury
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chro
nic-traumatic-
encephalopathy/#:~:text=Chronic%2
0traumatic%20encephalopathy%20(
CTE)%20is,are%20based%20on%20e
x%2Dathletes.
Other Dementias
Mixed Picture A combination of Varies depending Varies depending on the Varies depending on the
Dementia more than one type of on the types of types of dementia types of dementia
dementia dementia
Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Positive Approach to Care® and Teepa Snow. May not be re-used without prior permission.