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The source of this article is the Kane County Chronicle: http://tinyurl.com/4qkqk Dementia takes different forms By DR. PETER H. GOTT Newspaper Enterprise Association DEAR DR. GOTT: What is the difference between Parkinson's dementia and Alzheimer's disease? Is benign essential tremor common in one or both? Is treatment available? DEAR READER: Dementia is a medical term that refers to a progressive decline in cognitive function, memory and judgment. It is a major component of many neurological disorders, including chronic alcohol abuse, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems and Parkinson's disease. Dementia is the most prominent feature of Alzheimer's. Not all patients with Parkinson's disease become demented. These mental changes, when they occur, appear during the advanced stages of the disease and correspond to a wide range of physical characteristics, including tremor and other movement disorders. In other words, dementia is a late manifestation that, along with the physical alterations, can usually be successfully treated with a variety of prescription drugs, including Sinemet, which replace dopamine, a brain chemical that Parkinson's patients lack. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease, a dreaded and common affliction of unknown cause, is marked by dementia early in the course of the ailment, and this mental state inexorably progresses until the patient requires total nursing care. A person can shift from vague forgetfulness to total numbing confusion in the space of a few short years. Moreover, the physical components of Alzheimer's disease are relatively trivial when compared to the mental changes. Unfortunately, there is — as yet — no cure for this disease. Instead, powerful tranquilizers are usually needed just to make advanced Alzheimer's patients comfortable and relatively manageable. Benign essential tremor is not related to Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases, although the former typically leads to a type of resting tremor that may not be evident during movement. The condition usually appears in childhood with tremulousness of the hands and voice; it is harmless, may be worsened by stress, does not progress and usually needs no treatment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn