אלה עללות

Medical Services | Health Information | Appointments | Education and Research | Jobs | About Rapid-onset Alzheimer's: Could it be something else?

My mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. But she seems to be deteriorating at a very rapid rate. Everything I've read about Alzheimer's says that it has a slow progression. What can you tell me about this?
- No name / No state given
Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist Glenn Smith, Ph.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.
Answer
Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease, which usually implies a slow progression. However, rarely Alzheimer's can progress more rapidly — over weeks or months instead of years.

A rapid progression may also suggest that a second type of dementia is complicating the Alzheimer's — such as vascular dementia or Lewy body disease. In addition, rapid progression may indicate another condition that mimics the symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as:

Infections that affect the central nervous system, such as HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
A side effect of certain medications, such as anticholinergic drugs and narcotic pain relievers
Vitamin B-12 deficiency
Depression
Hypothyroidism
A prompt and thorough medical evaluation is important to determine the exact cause of rapidly progressing dementia. Some causes are treatable.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC
Alzheimer's or depression: Could it be both?
Vitamin B-12: Can it improve memory in Alzheimer's?
Dementia: It's not always Alzheimer's
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)

RELATED
Diagnosing Alzheimer's: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist
Alzheimer's: Getting the most from medical appointments
Alzheimer's disease
MayoClinic.com Bookstore
'Mayo Clinic Guide to Alzheimer's Disease' (Hardcover)
ARTICLE TOOLS
Print
E-mail this
Larger type
Reprints and permissions By Mayo Clinic Staff
Oct 11, 2007
© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
AN01206
About this site ·Site help ·Contact us ·e-Newsletter ·Site map ·Reprints and permissions
Privacy policy updated Feb 8, 2008
Terms and conditions of use updated Sep 20, 2007

LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.
© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

MayoClinic.com Bookstore Diseases & ConditionsDrugs & SupplementsTreatment DecisionsHealthy LivingAsk a SpecialistHealth ToolsSlide ShowsVideoBlogs & Podcasts Home Log in Register now RSS ASK AN ALZHEIMER'S SPECIALIST More Information
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine
Healthy Living set - Buy 2 books and get 1 free!
Get your free trial issue of Health Letter now!
More titles from MayoClinic.com Bookstore …
Advertising and sponsorship policy Feb 13, 2008