Causes of Dementia

Dementia is caused by damage in the brain. The most common causes of dementia are called neurodegenerative diseases, and include Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. With these diseases, the brain cells degenerate and die more quickly than is part of the normal ageing process. This leads to a decline in a person’s mental and, sometimes, physical abilities.

You can find out more about what causes the more common types of dementia in the NHS Choices Dementia Guide: Causes of Dementia

And also what causes the rarer forms of dementia in the Alzheimer Society Fact Sheet: Rarer Causes of Dementia