As you've probably already noticed, Alzheimer's Disease is the form of dementia everyone is talking about these days. It used to be known as "senile dementia" or "hardening of the arteries," and that is another common cause of dementia. Today that particular problem is referred to as "vascular dementia."

Because everyone is talking about Alzheimer's Disease we often fall into the trap of thinking all dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Below is an abbreviated list, in no particular order, of some of the more common causes of dementia symptoms. It is by no means complete, as there are potentially hundreds of possible causes. Some of these medical problems can be successfully treated. That is why it is so important to find out what is causing cognitive decline.

Remember that there is no disease called "dementia." Dementia is a symptom that can be caused by many different things. It by no means is always Alzheimer's disease.

Some Causes of Dementia or Cognitive Decline:

Alcohol Abuse
Alzheimer's Disease
Anesthesia
Brain Tumor
Chemotherapy
Dehydration
Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
Medication
Multiple Sclerosis
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Other Fronto-Temporal diseases
Other Hormonal Imbalance
Parkinson's Disease
Pick's Disease
Radiation therapy
Stroke
Thyroid Imbalance
Vascular Dementia