Cognitive Decline Vs. Dementia

Cognitive decline and dementia are closely related mental disorders. Cognitive decline is a feature of dementia, which has numerous possible causes.

Definition

• Cognitive decline refers to diminished and impaired cognitive functioning, which is a person's capacity to think, make decisions, use language and learn and remember information. Dementia refers to a group of symptoms caused by illnesses and injuries of the brain.

Types

• There are various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Cognitive impairment is more noticeable and pronounced than a normal level of forgetfulness, according to the website of the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

• Cognitive decline, involving memory loss, diminished language capabilities, impaired judgment and reason, is a symptom of dementia. Other symptoms may include behavioral disturbances, mood disturbances, hallucinations and delusions.

Cause

• Normal aging can cause some degree of cognitive decline; rapid and severe cognitive decline may be attributed to conditions such as dementia. Dementia may be caused by a variety of diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, stroke, head injuries and toxic reactions to drugs and alcohol.

Considerations

• Cognitive decline may be a long process that begins in a person's 20s, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia and described in 2009 by "Science Daily."