Dementia is a broad term used to describe a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-80% of all dementia cases. However, dementia can also be caused by other factors, such as vascular diseases, Lewy body disease, frontotemporal dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
In some cases, Alzheimer’s disease can initially present as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is a stage between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Not everyone with MCI progresses to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but it can be a precursor to these conditions.
So, in summary, Alzheimer’s disease can be a specific type of dementia, and it is possible for dementia to be caused by factors other than Alzheimer’s disease. However, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
