[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia\/","headline":"The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia","name":"The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia","description":"The terms \"memory loss,\" \"dementia,\" and \"Alzheimer's\" are often used interchangeably. But in fact, all three mean something different.","datePublished":"2017-01-02","dateModified":"2025-05-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Neurosurgery and Brain Health"],"wordCount":1011,"keywords":["Alzheimer's","Alzheimer's disease","Alzheimer's vs. dementia","dementia","difference between dementia and Alzheimer's","memory loss"],"articleBody":"\u201cWhen it comes to the function of the human brain, there are a lot of unknowns,\u201d says Suhag Patel, PA-C, certified physician assistant, UPMC Neurological Institute. \u201cAs a result, disorders of the brain may be hard to recognize or accept when they affect you or a loved one.\u201dThe terms memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer\u2019s often are used interchangeably to describe older people who are living with cognitive impairment. These terms, however, describe three different conditions. Here\u2019s what you need to know to tell them apart.What’s the Difference Between Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s?Memory loss\u00a0that causes forgetfulness is a common part of the aging process and usually isn\u2019t a sign of something serious. Age-related memory issues might be forgetting where you\u2019ve put your keys or why you walked into a certain room.But memory loss also may be a symptom of dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s if it makes it hard for you to do everyday things. So while misplacing your keys is normal forgetfulness, not remembering how to drive home may be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s.Dementia and Alzheimer’s aren\u2019t the same condition, though many people confuse them.Dementia\u00a0is a broad term that describes a decline in a person\u2019s mental ability. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines dementia as a loss of cognitive function \u2014 thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning \u2014 to the point that it interferes with the person\u2019s quality of life and daily activities.People living with dementia may have problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention. Some may have personality changes.There are many different forms of dementia.\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease\u00a0is one of them and is the most common form of dementia in people over age 65.While the symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia overlap, a person can have a form of dementia that is not related to Alzheimer\u2019s disease. However, everyone who has Alzheimer\u2019s disease is considered to have dementia because Alzheimer\u2019s is a form of dementia.\u201cDementia and\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s disease are not a normal part of aging and should be addressed by a doctor,\u201d Suhag says.What Is Dementia?Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells that interrupts their normal function. Dementia is usually progressive, meaning that symptoms start out mild and get worse over time. Different types of dementia affect different areas of the brain and have different symptoms.As a person\u2019s brain cells are damaged, their mental functions decrease. For a condition to be diagnosed as dementia, at least two of the following functions must be severely impaired:Ability to focus or pay attention.Communication\/language.Memory.Reasoning\/judgment.Visual perception.Doctors diagnose dementia by examining a person\u2019s medical history and asking them and their family members about any changes in behavior or mental status. They also will:Evaluate a person\u2019s cognitive skills, such as attention span and language.Order imaging tests such as CT, MRI, or PET scans\u00a0to look for physical causes in the brain.Perform routine medical tests to rule out other causes.Dementia may be caused by Alzheimer\u2019s or another disease, or it may be the result of environmental or lifestyle factors, such as smoking.What Is Alzheimer\u2019s?Alzheimer\u2019s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, language, and behavior. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s are at least age 60 or older, although some may be diagnosed in their 40s or 50s. This is known as early-onset Alzheimer\u2019s.How Alzheimer\u2019s Affects the BrainThe healthy human brain contains billions of neurons, specialized nerve cells that send signals between different parts of the brain and from the brain to the muscles and organs of the body. Alzheimer\u2019s disease disrupts the communication among neurons, resulting in loss of neuron function and neuron death.At first, Alzheimer\u2019s just destroys neurons and their connections in parts of the brain involved in memory. Later, however, it affects other areas in the brain responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior. Eventually, many areas of the brain are damaged.Over time, persons with Alzheimer\u2019s gradually lose their ability to live and function independently. Ultimately, the disease is fatal.Stages of Alzheimer\u2019s DiseaseThe disease varies for each person affected, but the general stages of its progression are:Normal behavior \u2014 Brain changes can begin as early as 10 years before diagnosis, although the person will show no symptoms.Mild mental decline \u2014 The person and their loved ones may notice subtle signs, such as forgetting words and names, repeating questions, or struggling with planning.Moderate mental decline\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Memory issues may worsen. Affected people may start losing things, forgetting the date or time, ignoring personal hygiene, getting lost, or becoming flustered while doing everyday tasks.Severe mental decline\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Those affected may not recognize people and may be unable to associate names with faces. They also may suffer from delusions, such as needing to go to a store that\u2019s been out of business for years.Very severe mental and physical decline\u00a0\u2014\u00a0In the end stages of the disease, the person will likely need help to eat, walk, and take care of themselves.Is There a Cure for Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s?\u201cThere is no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s disease or dementia,\u201d Suhag says.Depending on the cause of dementia, however, doctors often can prescribe medicine to manage or slow down its symptoms. Though individuals can live with dementia for decades, it usually shortens lifespans.Alzheimer\u2019s is a terminal disease, but scientists are making great strides in identifying new ways to help diagnose, treat, and even prevent Alzheimer\u2019s. Medicines can be prescribed to manage behavioral changes, memory loss, depression, and other symptoms. However, there is no way to stop the progression of the disease.If you think you or a loved one may be affected by dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s, make an appointment with your primary care provider.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 2, 2017, and was last reviewed on May 29, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/01\/alzheimers-vs-dementia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]