Dementia 1: Defining Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia (DRAFT)

The video in this chapter explores dementia, and focuses on definitions of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Dementia is defined as a cognitive decline in one or more cognitive domains including memory, language, attention, visuospatial processing and social behavior. Two hallmark pathologic features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are plaques, which are formed from amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles, which involve tau, whereas symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) may include behavioral changes, apathy and disinhibition and ritualistic or repetitive behaviors. Language may also be affected, and this can be a presenting symptom.