The key difference between senile and presenile dementia is that senile dementia is a type of dementia that has an onset after 65 years of age, while presenile dementia is a type of dementia that has an onset before 65 years of age.
Dementia is a medical term that is used to describe a decrease in mental ability. The symptoms of this condition include a deterioration in mental processes, including memory and language. In the UK, approximately 800,000 people suffer from this condition. Moreover, 60 to 80 percent of cases of dementia are a result of Alzheimer’s disease. Traditionally, dementia is divided into two categories: senile and presenile dementia.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Senile Dementia
3. What is Presenile Dementia
4. Similarities – Senile and Presenile Dementia
5. Senile vs Presenile Dementia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Senile vs Presenile Dementia
What is Senile Dementia?
Senile dementia is also known as late-onset dementia. In this type, dementia has an onset after 65 years of age. Senile dementia involves mental deterioration associated with characteristics of old age. It is mainly divided into two types: those due to generalized atrophy (Alzheimer’s type senile dementia) and those due to vascular problems (senile dementia mainly due to strokes). However, the term “senile dementia” is often used when referring to Alzheimer’s disease. Physical changes of senile dementia are associated with old age and include stooped posture, wrinkled skin, decrease in muscle strength, changes in the lens and the muscles of the eye, brittleness of bones, stiffness in joints, and arteries hardening. The mental changes associated with senile dementia include impaired judgment, loss of memory, and childish behaviour. Moreover, senile dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease, major depression, brain disorders, hypothyroidism, depressive pseudodementia, tumors, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and deficiencies in vitamins B1, B12, and A.
Senile dementia can be diagnosed through physical examination, brain scans, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatments for senile dementia include managing underlying health problems, medications like donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Alzest), galantamine (Reminyl), and lifestyle support.
What is Presenile Dementia?
Presenile dementia is a type of dementia that is also known as young or early-onset dementia. It has an onset before 65 years of age. Presenile dementia is caused by degenerative or vascular disease, alcohol abuse, inflammatory or infectious processes, and other health problems such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and other conditions. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition include memory loss, personality problems, behavioural problems, language difficulties, problems in social functioning, problems in relationships with others, difficulties in activities of everyday living, low motivation, mood changes (depression and anxiety), low concentration levels, affected decision making and problem-solving abilities, and problems in vision and spatial awareness.
Presenile dementia can be diagnosed through physical functioning tests, cognitive and neurological tests, brain scans, and blood tests. Furthermore, the treatment options for presenile dementia include managing underlying conditions, lifestyle changes (always wearing a seat belt in the car and helmet when riding a bike, preventing head injuries, keeping the heart healthy by taking a balanced diet, stopping smoking, avoiding alcohol, getting regular exercises, keeping the mind active, and having active social relationships), medicines (Aricept, Alzest, or Reminyl), counselling, lifestyle support, and support around employment issues.
What are the Similarities Between Senile and Presenile Dementia?
- Senile and presenile dementia are two types of dementia.
- Alzheimer’s disease can influence the development of both senile and presenile dementia.
- Both conditions are categorized by memory loss.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, brain scans, and blood tests.
- They are treated mainly through medications and lifestyle support.
What is the Difference Between Senile and Presenile Dementia?
Senile dementia is a type of dementia that has an onset after 65 years of age, while presenile dementia is a type of dementia that has an onset before 65 years of age. Thus, this is the key difference between senile and presenile dementia. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease greatly influences the development of senile dementia, while Alzheimer’s disease slightly influences the development of presenile dementia.
The below infographic presents the differences between senile and presenile dementia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Senile vs Presenile Dementia
Dementia is a medical condition that results in memory loss. It can be caused by a brain injury or diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Traditionally, it is divided into two types: senile and presenile dementia. Senile dementia shows an onset after 65 years of age, while presenile dementia shows an onset before 65 years of age. So, this summarizes the difference between senile and presenile dementia.
Reference:
1. “Senile Dementia.” Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 30 July 2019.
2. “What Is Young Onset Dementia?” Dementia UK, 21 Sept. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “An old man diagnosed as suffering from senile dementia. Colo Wellcome L0026689” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Dementia and Alzheimer” (CC0) via Pixabay
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