Dementia involves progressive declines in memory, executive function, language, and behavior that are severe enough to affect daily life. At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our neuropsychologists offer the latest care to manage dementia and its symptoms.
We carefully evaluate each patient to uncover the causes of dementia and develop an individualized treatment plan.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a clinical syndrome characterized by a constellation of symptoms that affect cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and decision-making. Mild forgetfulness and other symptoms are normal as people age. Dementia causes symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with daily life, activities, and relationships.
Although dementia mostly occurs in older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. Some people with dementia can experience personality and behavioral changes and lose control of their emotions.
Dementia ranges from mild, when it begins to affect a person's functioning, to severe, when the person must depend on others for full-time care and assistance.