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Is Dementia Irreversible?
Most forms of dementia are caused by irreversible changes in the brain, such as the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins that are found in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The […]
Most forms of dementia are caused by irreversible changes in the brain, such as the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins that are found in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The condition typically develops slowly, and most individuals will have periods when their symptoms subside for a time. But, despite a number of treatment options that may slow disease progression somewhat, the general trajectory is one of steady cognitive decline.
With that being said, some forms of dementia are temporary and treatable. For example, thyroid disease can cause symptoms of dementia, but they typically go away once the underlying cause is addressed. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause dementia, especially in the elderly. This is most often the result of an underlying disorder known as pernicious anemia, in which the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 from food. When people with pernicious anemia are given adequate vitamin B12 supplements, either by injection, nasal gel or pills, the symptoms of dementia will usually disappear.
Symptoms of dementia may also be a reaction to certain drugs. This is especially true in the elderly, whose bodies are less able to metabolize medicines, which then build up quickly in the blood. Some medications that may cause dementia even when taken as directed include the following:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Benzodiazepines (used to treat anxiety or insomnia)
- Medications to treat Parkinson’s disease
- Steroids
- Narcotics
- Sedatives
- Some cardiovascular drugs
- Cancer therapy, especially chemotherapy (this is commonly called “chemo brain”)
In the case of drug reactions, stopping the medicine will usually allow symptoms to subside. However, the effects of some drugs, particularly cancer chemotherapy, can persist for some time.
Another form of “dementia” that is at least partially reversible is associated with chronic alcohol use. Known as alcohol-related brain damage or, in some cases, Korsokov’s syndrome, this type of dementia can be slowed or reversed if the person stops drinking alcohol.
Sources
“Vitamin B12–Deficiency Anemia”. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia
“Korsakoff’s Syndrome”. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology-neurosurgery/specialty-areas/memory-disorders/korsakoffs-syndrome
