Dementia Dictionary

parietal lobe: The part of the brain that integrates signals and sensory information from the body and uses it to create a representation of the surrounding environment.

Parkinson's Disease: A disease in which neurons in the areas of the brain that control motor function die or work improperly, causing trembling, loss of balance, and slow movement.

Picks Disease: A disease in which either behavioral changes or language difficulties arise as the result of neuron death in the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain.

prions: A misfolded protein that can "recruit" other proteins and cause them to become misfolded as well, resulting in damage to brain tissue and dementia.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): A disease that occurs in patients with a weakened immune system, PML results when a common virus in the CNS is allowed to spread.

pseudodementia: A depression disorder which mimics some of the symptoms of dementia.

senile dementia: A general name for two types of diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.