Medical Conditions That Can Mimic Dementia — But Aren't

We all misplace keys or coffee mugs from time to time. Forgetting important items is a normal part of life. But how can you tell when forgetfulness becomes more serious, like a memory loss disease or dementia?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 million people in the U.S. aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. It's also the fifth-leading cause of death in the 65 and older U.S. population. 

Memory loss alone, however, does not guarantee a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia, as memory changes are common as people and their brain neurons age. And, several memory loss conditions can mimic signs of Alzheimer's or dementia. Understanding these conditions is essential, as early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference. Early detection allows for better management of symptoms, access to treatments, and planning for the future, helping you or your loved one maintain quality of life. 

No, Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the same thing, even though many people use them interchangeably. Alzheimer's is a form of  dementia, so someone can have dementia but not have Alzheimer’s. To put it another way, if you have Alzheimer’s, you have dementia — but not vice versa, because dementia describes a group of symptoms that can be cognitive, behavioral, or functional in nature. This condition can be caused by several memory loss diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Memory loss conditions other than Alzheimer’s include frontotemporal degeneration, vascular disease, and Lewy body disease. Dementia also progresses over time. A sudden worsening of dementia symptoms can have a few causes, including stroke, brain injury, delirium, and sundown syndrome. 

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder in which damage to brain cells causes changes in the brain, which affect peoples' memory and their ability to think. The condition can also cause personality and behavior changes. Age is the biggest risk factor, but about 200,000 Americans under 65 have early-onset Alzheimer's disease. 

Scientists still do not fully understand the causes of this disease. Alzheimer's can occur as a result of a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors, as well as genetics. While many dementia patients start off receiving care at home, as the disease advances, a person with Alzheimer's may need long-term care in a memory care facility. These facilities provide specialized care for those with dementia. Independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes don't provide the same type of care. This guide can help you choose a memory care facility.

Many people wonder if dementia can be reversed. In most cases, the condition results in permanent brain damage, making it unlikely to reverse. While there are treatments to manage symptoms, there is no cure for Alzheimer's. However, if you have a condition that is causing symptoms that resemble dementia, treating the condition may reverse your dementia symptoms. 

Symptoms of Alzheimer's can differ among people. There are 10 early signs that you should look out for and take seriously. If you or your loved one start to experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a health care professional. 

• Memory Loss: Some people may forget important events or new information. Others may ask the same question multiple times. 
• Vision Changes: Spatial awareness, reading, or detecting color or contrast may become difficult.
• Trouble Executing Common Tasks: A task like making a grocery list can be challenging. Some may forget how to travel somewhere they've been to many times before.
• Mood Changes: A person with Alzheimer's may become upset, depressed, or confused. Mood and personality changes can often occur when the person is in an unfamiliar place.
• Not Understanding Times and Places: Those with dementia may not know how they arrived somewhere. They may also find it difficult to keep track of the date or season. 
• Difficulty With Problem-Solving: Some have trouble concentrating or working with numbers. 
• Misplacing Items: Some people may place objects where they shouldn't go, or accuse others of taking items if they can't find them. 
• Poor Judgement: Keeping up with personal hygiene may be difficult for some. Others might make poor decisions with their money. 
• Difficulty Speaking or Writing: A person with Alzheimer's might call something the wrong name. They may also have trouble following a conversation. 
• Withdrawal: Some people with dementia don't partake in social activities they once enjoyed. This may result from difficulty speaking or following what others are saying.

It's important to see your doctor if you experience any Alzheimer's symptoms or significant memory loss. Talking with a professional allows you to explore treatment plans and alternate diagnoses. A doctor can administer tests like memory and problem-solving tests to determine your condition — Alzheimer's or otherwise. 

Exams may also include blood and urine tests, along with MRI, CT, or PET scans. A brain scan of someone with dementia caused by Alzheimer's may show changes in the hippocampus. A normal brain scan wouldn't show changes in this area of the brain.

The following conditions mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin B12 is a necessary nutrient that your body uses to make red blood cells and nerves. You must get this vitamin through food because your body can't make it. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as dairy, eggs, and meat. If you don't get enough B12, you could experience symptoms that resemble Alzheimer's, such as agitation and memory loss.

A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract. The lower urinary tract consists of the urethra and bladder, and a UTI in this area can result in pain while urinating, and cause blood to appear in urine. The ureters and bladder are in the upper urinary tract. UTIs in this area can cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's. They include confusion and feeling agitated or upset.

Depression is a mood disorder that can affect people in many ways. While common, depression can be serious. People of all races, ages, ethnicities, and genders can experience depression. Many symptoms can mimic Alzheimer's. They include irritability, memory issues, trouble with making decisions, and the inability to concentrate.

The thyroid gland produces hormones which control your metabolism. When your thyroid doesn't produce enough of these hormones, it causes hypothyroidism. Symptoms include forgetfulness and trouble learning new things. Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid makes too much of these hormones. Alzheimer's-mimicking symptoms can include eye problems and trouble focusing.

It is more common for older people to have cognitive side effects from medications. Medications that can cause these cognitive side effects include acetylcholine blockers, benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, chemotherapy medications, antihistamines, and sleep aids. These medications can cause symptoms like confusion, trouble concentrating, and memory problems.

While memory loss and mood changes can be signs of Alzheimer's, this is not always the case. There are other conditions that produce symptoms that resemble dementia. If you or your loved one begins to show signs of Alzheimer's or dementia, make an appointment with a medical professional. They can help determine the cause and provide possible treatment options.

• Alzheimer's disease fact sheet. (2023). National Institute on Aging
• Booth, Stephanie. (2022). Diseases that look like Alzheimer's (but aren't). WebMD
• Crouch, Michelle. (2022).  6 medical problems that can mimic dementia - but aren't. AARP
• Dementia. (2022). WebMD  
• Dementia vs. Alzheimer's disease: What is the difference? (n.d.). Alzheimer's Association
• Depression. (2024). National Institute of Mental Health 
• Ellis, Rachel Reiff, et al.  (2024). Dementia. WebMD 
• Farnsworth, Carolyn. (2023). Is dementia reversible? Medical News Today
• General information. (n.d.). American Thyroid Association 
• Geng, Caitlin. (2023). What to know about brain scans for dementia. Medical News Today
• McIntosh, James.  (2024). Urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms, causes, and remedies. Medical News Today 
• Santiago, Jose A., et al. (2021). The impact of disease comorbidities in Alzheimer's disease. National Library of Medicine
• 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and Dementia. (n.d.). Alzheimer's Association
• Villines, Zawn. Sudden worsening of dementia symptoms. (2023). Medical News Today  
• What is Alzheimer's disease? (2024). Alzheimers.gov 
• What is dementia? (n.d.). Alzheimer's Association