<ul><li>Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. </li><li>Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.</li></ul>

Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. <ul><li>Many different types of dementia exist, and many conditions cause it. </li><li>Mixed dementia is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.</li><li>Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.</li></ul>

Dementia overview

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. <ul><li>The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.</li><li>As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes. </li><li>Though the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age, the disease is not a normal part of aging.</li></ul>

Alzheimer’s overview

<div>Share or Print this page</div><img alt="A brain with descriptions on either hemisphere describes the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia." src="https://www.alz.org/media/HomeOffice/Inline%20Image/dementia-vs-alzheimers-difference-inlineimage.jpg" width="600" height="425">Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower individuals living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their families and their caregivers with necessary knowledge.<h2>Dementia overview</h2>Dementia describes a group of <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia#symptoms" dir="ltr">symptoms</a> associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. Many different <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia" dir="ltr">types of dementia</a> exist, and many conditions cause it. <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/mixed-dementia" dir="ltr">Mixed dementia</a> is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.
<h4 dir="ltr">Take our free 
e-learning course</h4>Our course, Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, outlines the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, symptoms, stages, risk factors and more.

What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia? Get an overview of each and learn about early symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.

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Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.

Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower individuals living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their families and their caregivers with necessary knowledge.

Dementia describes a group of <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia#symptoms">symptoms </a>associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. Many different <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia">types of dementia </a>exist, and many conditions cause it. <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/mixed-dementia">Mixed dementia </a>is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.

Our course, Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, outlines the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, symptoms, stages, risk factors and more.

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: What is the Difference?

Dementia overview

Alzheimer’s overview

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