Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing various conditions caused by damage to the brain. It affects memory, thinking skills, mood, and daily life. In the UK, it is estimated that 982,000 people are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form. Many people mistakenly think of dementia as a singular condition, but there are over 100 different types.
Understanding these types can help families and carers provide better support. This blog will explore the most common types in detail before listing rarer forms of dementia. By recognising the differences, we can better understand how dementia affects the brain and improve care.
When you think of dementia, you might think of Alzheimer’s disease first. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form, there are several other common types. These affect people across the UK and worldwide, shaping their experience of dementia in different ways.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is commonly associated with memory problems. Around 60% of dementia cases in the UK are linked to Alzheimer’s. It affects your loved one’s memory, thinking, and reasoning. It’s also the most common form of young-onset dementia, where the condition develops before the age of 65.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s often begin with memory loss, language difficulties, and struggling with daily tasks. As Alzheimer’s progresses, brain changes occur due to the build-up of proteins such as amyloid and tau. These damaged nerve cells can make it harder for the brain to function. If your loved one experiences thinking problems, difficulty following conversations, or struggles with planning meals, encourage them to see a GP for advice.
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, affecting around 150,000 people in the UK. It occurs when reduced blood flow damages parts of the brain. Blood vessels play a crucial role here. When blood flow is disrupted—often due to conditions like high blood pressure—this can lead to difficulties with thinking and reasoning.
Early-stage symptoms often include slower thinking, problems with planning, or confusion when following steps in a task. Your loved one may also struggle with short bursts of disorientation. Over time, these brain changes can lead to memory problems and mood changes. Doctors often identify vascular dementia after noticing a history of strokes or circulation issues.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the third most common form of dementia. It’s caused by tiny protein clumps, known as Lewy bodies, building up inside the nerve cells. These affect how the brain’s nervous system operates. Lewy body dementia can cause a combination of common symptoms seen in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. People might experience memory loss, confusion, changes in attention, visual hallucinations, and difficulties with movement.
This condition can be tricky to identify, as it shares many early signs with other dementias. However, if you notice that your loved one’s confusion varies greatly from day to day, or they have vivid dreams and see or hear things that aren’t there, consider speaking with a GP for advice. It’s important to understand that nobody at home can diagnose this condition—only medical professionals can.
Frontotemporal dementia, which used to be called Pick’s disease, is less common than Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, but it still accounts for a noticeable portion of dementia cases. It often affects people at a younger age, sometimes under 65. FTD targets the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to personality, mood, and language changes. Your loved one might struggle with understanding words, lose their sense of social norms, or struggle to manage their emotions.
FTD doesn’t usually start with memory loss. Instead, early signs include unusual behaviour, difficulty with language, or abrupt mood changes. You should seek professional help if concerns arise.
Mixed dementia means a person has more than one type of dementia at the same time, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia together. This combination is quite common, especially in older people, though it’s often not diagnosed until after death. Mixed dementia can have varied symptoms, as the brain changes and damage overlap, affecting memory, reasoning, and mood.
Mixed dementia might progress differently from a single dementia type because of the overlapping symptoms. Understanding that multiple processes are at work can help you prepare for various challenges and seek comprehensive dementia care.
Young-onset or early-onset dementia refers to dementia that appears before the age of 65. While Alzheimer’s disease is a common cause of young-onset dementia, there are other conditions, too. Because early-onset dementia is rarer, getting a diagnosis can sometimes take longer. Young-onset symptoms often involve personality changes, vision problems, or difficulties at work. These are sometimes put down to stress or other life factors. If your loved one shows persistent memory issues or mood changes, encourage them to seek medical advice.
While most people are aware of conditions like Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia, there are many rarer types. These conditions may begin in different parts of the brain or result from different causes. Some stem from genetics, others from infections, and some involve unusual protein build-ups. Although these rarer forms are less common, it’s helpful to understand them if your loved one has an unusual set of symptoms.
Atypical Alzheimer’s disease affects different parts of the brain first. While typical Alzheimer’s often starts with memory loss, atypical forms might show changes in personality or vision first. There are several types of atypical Alzheimer’s, including:
Frontal variant Alzheimer’s disease affects the frontal lobes. It can cause changes in behaviour and personality earlier than you might expect with typical Alzheimer’s. Your loved one might become less socially aware, struggle with planning, or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Posterior cortical atrophy affects the back part of the brain, leading to problems with visual processing. Your loved one may struggle to judge distances, recognise faces, or read. This isn’t simple eyesight trouble. Instead, it’s linked to the way the brain interprets visual information. PCA is a rarer form of Alzheimer’s disease, often noticed by difficulties with everyday tasks that involve vision.
CADASIL is a genetic condition affecting the small blood vessels in the brain. It can lead to strokes and vascular dementia symptoms. Over time, your loved one may experience changes in their thinking skills, mood, and possibly memory. Because CADASIL is genetic, there may be a family history of related problems. High blood pressure and other vascular issues can make it worse. While you can’t treat or diagnose this condition yourself, you can encourage your loved one to seek medical guidance if they show unusual early signs.
Corticobasal syndrome involves nerve cells responsible for movement, thinking, and speech. Your loved one might struggle to control one side of their body or find it hard to perform everyday actions. Over time, changes in the brain can lead to memory problems or symptoms similar to other dementias. Although rare, CBS can look a bit like Parkinson’s disease in its early stages.
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease is a very rare and rapidly progressing form of dementia caused by prion proteins that damage the brain’s nervous system. It can cause sudden memory loss, personality changes, and problems with movement. CJD can progress quickly, so seeing a GP for advice if you suspect something unusual is essential.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder occurs when HIV affects the brain. This doesn’t always lead to dementia, but in some cases, advanced HIV can cause thinking and memory problems. Your loved one might experience confusion, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes. With the right treatment for HIV itself, some of these symptoms may improve. It’s a complex condition that requires professional medical support.
Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that damages nerve cells in the brain. It leads to a range of symptoms, including movement problems, mood changes, and cognitive decline. Over time, a person with Huntington’s might show similar patterns to dementia, struggling with thinking skills, memory problems, and day-to-day tasks.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus involves fluid build-up in the brain’s chambers, causing pressure that leads to dementia-like symptoms. NPH can cause difficulty walking, urinary issues, and mild cognitive impairment. It’s sometimes treatable through surgery to drain fluid. If your loved one has difficulty walking and thinking problems, it’s worth seeking medical advice.
Progressive supranuclear palsy affects balance, movement, and eye control. Over time, PSP can cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s. Your loved one might have difficulty looking up or down, problems with balance, and changes in behaviour. Although rare, PSP can impact daily life and eventually lead to severe thinking and memory issues.
While the other types of dementia are mentioned above, many other rare forms exist. These are caused by different factors, including genetics, infections, or unusual protein build-ups. To ensure this blog covers as many types as possible, here’s a bullet-point list of rare dementia types:
Understanding the different types of dementia can help you feel more informed and less alone. Each type of dementia—whether it’s a common type of dementia like Alzheimer’s or a rarer condition like corticobasal syndrome—can affect daily life in unique ways. Knowing about the different causes and brain changes can help you spot the signs of dementia early. If you suspect your loved one is showing unusual symptoms, encourage them to see a GP for advice.You don’t have to face this journey by yourself. Tiggo Care can help you organise care for your loved one so they can stay at home. We can help with personal care tasks, assist with medication routines set by doctors, help with shopping, and support your loved one to manage their day-to-day life. Using Tiggo Care’s dementia care services, your loved one will continue to enjoy their life and they will stay connected to what matters most. If you or a loved one needs support, contact Tiggo Care today to learn more about our dementia care services.
The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. While this might look like more than four, mixed dementia is a common form that involves having more than one type. Each type has different causes and symptoms.
Yes, this is known as mixed dementia. Some people may have brain changes associated with three different conditions—Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. These combinations can make an early diagnosis difficult and may affect how quickly symptoms progress.
Yes, you can organise dementia care services with Tiggo Care. Our carers can assist your loved one with personal care, adherence to medication routines, help around the house, meal preparation, going to appointments, and attending social events.
You might consider home care when your loved one starts to struggle with daily tasks they once managed easily. Early signs might include confusion during cooking, difficulty following medication routines, or challenges with personal care. When these changes start affecting their daily life, organising care visits at home can help them maintain independence for longer.
Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
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