Alzheimer’s Disease vs Other Dementias: Key Brain Changes and Symptoms Every Clinician Should Know

Dementia is a clinical syndrome with multiple causes, and distinguishing among them is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. While Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, other types—such as Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)—have overlapping symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis.

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What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (tau protein) in the brain. These changes primarily affect the hippocampus and temporal lobes, leading to early memory loss, followed by decline in language, executive function, and eventually motor skills.

Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s:                                                                                        

  • Short-term memory loss
  • Word-finding difficulties
  • Disorientation in time/place
  • Personality changes
  • Impaired judgment

How Alzheimer’s Differs from Other Dementias

🧠 1. Vascular Dementia

Cause: Result of stroke or chronic ischemia

Brain changes: Infarcts, white matter lesions

Key symptoms:

  • Stepwise cognitive decline
  • Focal neurological deficits (e.g., hemiparesis)
  • Emotional lability
  • Better preserved memory in early stages than AD