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DementiaDementia is not part of healthy aging. It's a severe cognitive impairment that compromises one's ability to perform daily activities and function independently. No one test definitively diagnoses dementia—instead, a test series, brain scans, and an expert's consideration of the overall pattern of symptoms lead to a formal diagnosis.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than half of all dementia patients. Lewy body dementia occurs when protein deposits develop in nerve cells in the brain. There's also vascular dementia, which arises from brain blood flow issues, and frontotemporal dementia, which often manifests in middle age, and is named for the parts of the brain that shrink among affected patients.
In 2025, estimates suggest there were at least 5.6 million people living in America with dementia. Though the burden of dementia is often incalculable for individuals and their families, one estimate suggests it costs society $781B in 2025. If dementia-like symptoms are caused by factors such as vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects, liver disease, or infections, then the condition can be treatable or curable. Typically, however, there is no cure for dementia.
Medications and lifestyle choices can help to alleviate dementia symptoms and slow symptom progression. Current research seeks to tease apart the etiologies of dementia and identify new drug treatments and the best ways to support loved ones who act as caregivers. Dementia caregivers often provide unpaid care that may last for years.Explore Dementia
What we've found
Why vascular dementia developsThis type of dementia, the second most common form after Alzheimer's, develops due to microscopic bleeds and blood vessel blockages in the brain. The condition isn't curable but medications to help with blood clotting and high blood pressure are part of a suite of interventions designed to minimize damage to the brain. Johns Hopkins MedicineDementia describes progressive memory issues that impact daily activitiesAlthough Alzheimer's disease is sometimes thought of synonymously with dementia, there are multiple types of dementia, which manifest in memory loss and other symptoms that make it challenging to perform daily tasks. These types include Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Parkinson's disease is not a form of dementia, but this movement disorder can sometimes develop into issues with memory and a formal diagnosis of dementia. Alzheimer's Research UKAmerica's financial burden from dementia in 2025 was $781 billionThat figure, calculated by researchers at the University of Southern California, includes medical and long-term care costs, unpaid family and friend caretaking, lost productivity for patients and their families, and the economic loss in quality of life for patients and their families. In 2025, they estimate there were 5.6 million people living with dementia. University of Southern CaliforniaAfter a dementia diagnosis, it's important to plan ahead but also savor the momentThe next steps after a diagnosis include taking lifestyle steps to slow disease progression and completing legal paperwork about long-term medical preferences. It's also important to appreciate the moments and days ahead and find humor in them, when possible. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The New York TimesDementia caregiver training programs exist—but they aren't commonComprehensive dementia care programs go beyond offering support to caregivers. They train people on how to modify their homes, communicate with their loved ones with dementia, and cope with the stress of caregiving, among other skills. Yet despite evidence showing their effectiveness and the economic benefit of avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits, these programs are often poorly funded and difficult to find. KFF Health NewsHow neurodegeneration happens, the underlying disease process of dementiaDementia symptoms may vary between individuals, and may include mood changes, difficulty walking, speaking, and memory problems. It can progress over many years, occurring due to progressive damage to nerve cells in the brain. This degradation may happen for myriad reasons, and its triggers are under investigation. University of California San FranciscoMillions of aging Americans are facing dementia or cognitive impairment—aloneAn estimated 4.3 million people aged 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the US. The individuals facing these challenges are more likely to be women, people of color, and to generally be poorer and less educated than other older adults who are also living alone. KFF Health NewsHow reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40%Research published in 2026 that tracked almost 2,000 older adults for an average of nearly eight years suggests that lifelong exposure to intellectual stimulation, such as learning a language, reading, and writing, can lower dementia risk by as much as 40%. The GuardianUntreated hearing loss is linked with dementia riskHearing loss does not cause dementia, but it does increase the risk of developing dementia and research suggests that people who wear hearing aids for age-related hearing loss also maintain better brain function than those who don't. The LancetBrain training game creates long-lasting changes in the brain that may help protect against dementiaFindings published in 2026 that tracked more than 2,000 older adults, examining dementia onset and completion of cognitive speed training activities, provide some of the strongest evidence yet that cognitive training games can help protect against dementia. Participants who underwent speed training and received booster sessions had a 25% reduction in the risk of dementia diagnosis compared with the control group. NBC NewsHow frontotemporal dementia changes your personalitySignificant changes in personality later in life are often attributed to psychological factors. But Dr. Bruce Miller, long-time researcher of FTD, argues this shift is most often attributable to changes in the brain. Big BrainsRepeated head injuries can lead to CTE and early dementiaChronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated trauma to the head. The condition has become a particular concern in sports like football and soccer, from youth to professional leagues, where repeated low-level concussive events are likely. TEDx TalksSome dementia cases may be linked to microorganisms in the brainResearchers now know that, much like the gut, the brain is home to an ecosystem of microorganisms—the brain microbiome. While this area of study is still new, some scientists believe 50% of bacteria-caused dementia cases could be treated. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The GuardianAnalysis finds dementia was rare in ancient GreeceAncient medical texts seldom mention severe cognitive decline, suggesting that such conditions were uncommon. This scarcity is attributed to factors like shorter lifespans and active lifestyles, implying that modern environmental and lifestyle changes—along with longer life expectancy—contribute to the current prevalence of dementia. 1440A dignified later life made possible through dementia villagesDementia villages are specially designed residential communities tailored for individuals with dementia. These environments offer residents a safe, familiar, and stimulating atmosphere that resembles normal daily life—promoting greater independence, social interaction, and quality of life while discreetly integrating necessary care and support from trained professionals. 1440What it feels like to live with dementiaThis nine-minute short film attempts to answer what it feels like to fade into dementia, as memory, motor skills, and cognition steadily decline. This award-winning short film follows Jos, a married father who worked in hospitality, as he sinks into ,"what feels like a single day. Or is it years?" VimeoHow do 'dementia villages' work?The goal of good dementia care is to preserve a patient's quality of life as the incurable disease progresses, maximizing their ability to lead normal lives and maintain their health and dignity. Dementia villages are small neighborhoods built for people with severe dementia, with typical neighborhood haunts like salons or grocery stores staffed by people trained in dementia care, helping residents maintain a sense of autonomy and connection. VoxHow family members disappeared into dementiaThis narrative feature describes one family's troubling experience with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, which emerges in the prime of adult life — as young as 40, in some cases — and degrades the brain's ability to plan, organize, express language, understand social cues, and exercise judgment. New York TimesAlzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia and risks rise after age 65Read this primer about Alzheimer's disease and learn what factors increase the risk of this form of dementia, including genetics, being a woman, and health conditions, including high blood pressure. Harvard UniversitySitting 10+ hours per day increases dementia riskPeople who sit for at least 10 hours per day are more likely to develop dementia, according to a study published in 2023. This article details the study on the murky relationship between brain health and prolonged sitting.
This study involved... The Washington PostCan your identity be preserved amid dementia?Memory loss associated with progressive dementia raises questions about whether a person's identity can be maintained during the disease's progression. One outlook suggests we define ourselves by our social relationships—offering a potentially more humane approach to caring for those with dementia. AeonThe term schizophrenia was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908He launched the word during a lecture at the German Psychiatric Association in Berlin. In his talk he focused on the splitting of psychic functioning as a defining feature of the disease and noted it wasn't associated with dementia or factors like early puberty onset. National Library of MedicineThere are two FDA-approved blood tests that may detect early Alzheimer's diseaseYet the tests are only recommended for those who have symptoms of dementia, and are not definitive on their own. False positives are a concern with these new tests, which detect biomarkers that may indicate the presence of brain proteins linked to the disease. This podcast explores the state of research on the disease and concerns about regulators taking jobs at pharmaceutical and biotech companies, which may influence their approach to approvals. It also dives into an investigation about the data underpinning one experimental Alzheimer's drug. FreakonomicsLearn the differences between mild cognitive impairment and age-associated memory lossMild cognitive impairment is a condition in which people experience more thinking and memory problems than expected for their age. It's often associated with depression and anxiety. Daily routines, writing things down, and healthy lifestyle choices can help cope with the condition, but there's no cure. The condition elevates the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's. National Institute on AgingRead the Surgeon General's 2023 loneliness report claiming loneliness is an epidemicThis report details the specific health threats linked with loneliness, including that loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by nearly 30%. Loneliness also lowers our capability to mount an effective immune response to viruses and respiratory illness, increases the risks for anxiety, depression, and dementia, and boosts the risks of heart disease and stroke. US Department of Health and Human ServicesIssues of ICE conduct span multiple Republican and Democratic administrationsComplaints of abuse and harsh treatment increased as detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants reached record levels during former President Barack Obama's first term. Frontline investigated the causes of these claims in 2011 and found that these issues cross party lines. FrontlineICE was created in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacksCreated by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 following 9/11, ICE enforces federal immigration, customs, and trade laws under DHS. With over 20,000 staff across 400 global offices and an $8B budget, it focuses on detention, deportation, and cross-border criminal investigations. USAFactsHearing loss is linked with brain volume reductionsThe brain looks different as a result of hearing loss, with reductions in brain volume overall and in specific areas, and these changes are hypothesized to impact cognition. Exactly why hearing loss alters cognition is an active area of research, but theories include that the elevated cognitive load of straining to hear affects brain power available for thinking and memory and that hearing loss leads to social isolation which boosts dementia risk. American Academy of AudiologyOn the benefits of 'fart walks'Walking has proven benefits for flatulence by kickstarting the process of peristalsis in the bowels and facilitating easier farts and burps. The timely exercise is also correlated with weight loss (as well as potentially reduced opportunities for social embarrassment). Popular ScienceFinancial caregiving 101In this podcast episode, a financial expert outlines how to prepare to financially take care of an elderly parent before they get sick or an emergency happens. This includes ensuring their payments are automated, getting access codes for their cell phones and accounts, and more. HerMoneyAutograph hunters form secretive networks to trade celebrity access tipsInside the rarefied world of the autograph collector, individuals who will go to great lengths to gather celebrities' signatures. the GuardianSocial work pioneer Jane Addams (1860 - 1935) on civilization"Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men." Smithsonian American Art MuseumFantasy sports can have adverse health effects Experts warn that fantasy sports, including fantasy football, can encourage obsessive use because they offer hits of dopamine. Daily fantasy games, which function more like gambling, are especially problematic. www.heart.orgMemory disorders disrupt the brain's ability to make, store, or recall memoriesThese disorders stem from reversible issues like vitamin deficiencies or irreversible causes such as stroke or dementia. Only one type of dementia—familial Alzheimer’s disease—is directly inherited and accounts for about 20% of Alzheimer’s cases. HealthlineScientists are reevaluating the causes of Alzheimer's beyond the amyloid hypothesisThe cause of Alzheimer's disease has been debated for decades. The amyloid cascade hypothesis—where plaques build up in the brain, triggering neurodegeneration—has long been the leading theory. But after a number of failed drug trials, researchers are beginning to reevaluate various culprits.
[Untreated hearing loss is linked with dementia risk](https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext)
Hearing loss does not cause dementia, but it does increase the risk of developing dementia and research suggests that people who wear hearing aids for age-related hearing loss also maintain better brain function than those who don't. Quanta MagazineTake a quiz to discover your brain care scoreEach year, nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke. With such a high occurrence rate, you may be asking yourself what you could do now to prevent a future stroke. Researchers at Harvard collaborated to answer this question by coming up with a "Brain Care" scoring system. Take the quiz to learn the quality of your brain health today and pick up helpful insights to lower your risk of stroke and dementia well into the future. Harvard UniversityBitcoin and ethereum are decentralized cryptocurrencies with different functionsBitcoin, launched in 2009, is primarily a digital currency and store of value with a fixed supply. Ethereum, introduced in 2015, enables smart contracts and decentralized apps, offering more flexibility. 1440Decentraland is a virtual world that runs on EthereumUsers can buy plots of land in the virtual Decentraland universe to collect, trade, and battle Pokemon-like monsters in the video game “Axie Infinity.” KrakenDecentralized autonomous organizations organize on the blockchainDecentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are typically formed with a specific goal in mind. ConstitutionDAO, for instance, was made to raise funds to buy a copy of the US Constitution (it failed). InvestopediaTop Ethereum dAppsThousands of decentralized apps (dApps) run on Ethereum, including marketplaces, financial platforms, and social networks. Top apps include Uniswap, a decentralized exchange for buying and selling cryptocurrency, and OpenSea, the biggest marketplace for buying and selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs). New apps are built on Ethereum all the time, facilitating billions of dollars worth of transactions. Explore the biggest ones here. Dapp RadarEthereum is a blockchain-powered platform for building decentralized software and appsAmong crypto enthusiasts, ethereum is known for the cryptocurrency it uses to facilitate transactions: ether, or ETH. It's often compared to an app store. The underpinnings of ethereum's blockchain include dApps, which operate using automated scripts called "smart contracts." InvestopediaA sleep expert discusses the broad benefits of quality restIn this three-part series, renowned sleep expert Matthew Walker and doctor Peter Attia explore the role of sleep in memory consolidation and mental health, and the detrimental effects of chronic lack of sleep. The latter has been linked to increased risk of dementia, hypertension, and more. Peter AttiaDecentralized applications are blockchain-based and run without a central authorityThese apps use smart contracts to automatically execute functions, ensuring security, transparency, and censorship resistance. Built on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, and Binance Smart Chain, DApps power DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and social media, offering users control over their data and assets. InvestopediaFollowing the NFL's concussion settlement, numerous victims were denied payoutsIn 2015, the NFL finalized a landmark settlement with former players alleging concussions suffered in games were causing brain diseases. The settlement promised to pay every former player who developed dementia or diseases linked to concussions. This Washington Post investigation interviewed former players who filed claims under the agreement, but said they were rejected based on definitions in the settlement. Washington Post1440: Everything you need to know about Alzheimer'sWhat is Alzheimer's, and is it different from dementia? In short, yes—Alzheimer's is a specific brain disease that falls under the umbrella of dementia. However it is the most prevalent form of the condition, accounting for 60 to 80% of reported dementia cases. 1440The brain will attempt to rest itself in periods of chronic sleep deprivationSkimping on sleep lengthens reaction times and blunts decision-making skills. At a certain point, the brain will try to sneak sleep where it can, shifting sections offline even as you remain awake. Going without sleep raises blood pressure, undermines the immune system, and increases one's risk of dementia. Science VsAlzheimer's as a family disease: When children become "parents"Kitty Eisele's 81-year-old dad went missing while on a snowy, four-hour drive from Minneapolis to Iowa City. It was the first emergency that spelled out the danger of her dad's dementia diagnosis—and captures how Alzheimer’s impacts entire families, with the influx of responsibility that comes with caregiving. Texas Public RadioA simple visual explanation of how blockchains workBlockchains are decentralized, distributed, and digital methods to record transactions and prevent alterations and tampering of the record. That's a simplified definition. This easy-to-understand six-minute video further and better explains what blockchains are and how they work using colorful illustrations and clear, concise clarifications on their processes and what makes them so special. YouTubeBitcoin mining validates/adds bitcoin transactions onto the blockchainMining, done by a decentralized network of actors, is incredibly energy intensive, making the award of bitcoins a major incentive. The BalanceCryptocurrencies are forms of digital currencyCryptocurrency's key feature is decentralization. Unlike traditional money, they generally aren't controlled by a single authority. As of early 2025, cryptocurrencies had a cumulative market cap of almost $3.4T, making them worth more than some of the world's most valuable companies, like Google and Amazon (both valued at roughly $2.3T). Investopedia
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