Dementia is a loss of brain function over weeks, months, or years that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Similar changes that occur over hours or a day or two is called
Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body. Dementia due to
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
How often this condition affects different ages, genders, and races varies based on the disorder that is causing the dementia.
Metabolic causes of dementia include:
Endocrinedisorders, such as Addison's diseaseor Cushing's disease
- Heavy metal exposure, such as to lead, arsenic, murcury, or manganese
- Repeat episodes of low blood sugar (
hypoglycemia), most often seen in people with diabetes who use insulin
Hyperparathyroidism, by causing very high levels of calcium in the blood
Hypothyroidism(low levels of thyroid hormone) or thyrotoxicosis(very high levels of thyroid hormone in the body) Liver cirrhosis Porphyria
- Nutritional disorders, such as vitamin B1 deficiency,
vitamin B12deficiency, pellagra, or protein-calorie malnutrition
Review Date: 03/09/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.