In medical terms, the word dementia has been replaced with Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND). Major Neurocognitive Disorder is an acquired disorder of cognitive function that is commonly characterized by impairments in memory, speech, reasoning, intellectual function, and/or spatial-temporal awareness. The potential causes of dementia are diverse, but the disorder is mainly due to the deterioration of brain cells, nerve and nerve endings, and the blood system in the brain. It is often called a neurodegenerative and/or vascular disease and most forms are associated with increased age. The initial diagnosis is determined by the patient history, cognitive assessments, and a physical examination.
Many neurodegenerative brain diseases are now labeled under the general term of a major neurocognitive disorder. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 50% of all diagnosed dementias. The remainder of dementia includes Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Huntington’s disease.
Medicines have been developed and approved to slow the progress of dementia and may allow for longer episodes of cognitive awareness. However, none of the currently approved medicines are totally effective against dementia. Developing medicine for all the facets of dementia is almost an overwhelming task because of the chronic and progressive nature of dementia. No cure for dementia has yet been found.