Dementia, defined as "progressive loss of mental abilities", also occurs in the form of behavioral dementia. Behavioral dementia, which first starts as a change in behavior and personality change, is accompanied by forgetfulness as time progresses. Experts warn that behavioral dementia is often confused with psychiatric illness.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Celal Şalçini noted that behavioral dementia, a type of dementia, is often compared with psychiatric diseases.
What is dementia?
Dr. Celal Şalçini, who defines dementia or dementia with its scientific name as "progressive loss of previously existing mental abilities", said, "There are many different classifications of dementia. One of these classifications is made according to which mental function of the brain is lost and which function is preserved."
Activities for which the damaged area is responsible are impaired
Stating that each different mental ability is managed by different brain regions, Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "For example, behavior is controlled by the frontal regions of the frontal lobe of both cerebral hemispheres, memory by the inner parts of the temporal region, and speech by the frontal and temporal regions of the left hemisphere. As a result of damage to these brain regions, the mental activities they are responsible for are impaired."
Dementia varies according to regions
Noting that as dementia progresses, the number of damaged areas increases and therefore the number and variety of mental abilities lost increases, Dr. Celal Şalçini said: "The type of dementia in which memory is initially impaired is called Alzheimer's Disease, the type of dementia in which the ability to speak is initially impaired is called Primary Progressive Aphasia, or the dementia in which behaviors are first impaired is called Behavioral Frontotemporal Dementia. These types of dementia are similar to each other as time progresses and the differential diagnosis becomes partially difficult."
Behavioral dementia is confused with psychiatric diseases
Dr. Celal Şalçini noted that behavioral dementia first starts as a change in behavior and personality change and said, "As time progresses, forgetfulness, which is characteristic of another type of dementia, is added. For this reason, most of the patients appear to be psychiatric patients and initially apply to a psychiatrist."
Neurology specialist should follow up
Dr. Celal Şalçini said, "Behavioral dementia is diagnosed with a detailed examination and history, MRI imaging of the brain and cognitive tests, and further tests such as brain PET imaging can be performed when necessary. The management of the disease differs significantly from Alzheimer's type dementia and it is beneficial to be managed by a physician who is engaged in this work."
