Damaged Brain Cells Due to Dementia

Dementia is a silent killer, especially targeting the elderly. Through a variety of methods and forms, dementia results from damaged cells within the brain---normally occurring over long periods of time.

Dementia

• Dementia is a term that is applied to a variety of mental disorders that especially target seniors. The disease results in a loss of brain function related to performance, as well as memory.

Types of Dementia

• Taking on different forms, two-thirds of dementia cases are Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia that results in a loss of understanding and function due to damaged communication between cells in the brain.

  The second most common type is vascular dementia, normally caused from strokes that create brain damage by inhibiting neuronal flow to various areas.

Degeneration

• The principle cause behind dementia is the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. The connections within the brain are destroyed over time, which prevent neuronal signals from being sent effectively.

Location

• Normally dementia strikes the hippocampus first, which is the area in the brain where short-term memories are stored.

Remnants & Prevention

• Neurofibrillary tangles, as well as amyloid plaques are located in the brains of the majority of dementia patients and are clear signs of damage to the brain.

  Although considered at least partially genetic, dementia is considered less likely for those that eat healthy, exercise regularly, and perform brain exercises.