Worried that a loved one hasAlzheimer’s disease? While you may be right, you should be sure to have a physicianconduct a thorough evaluationto be certain. Some illnesses and conditions that look and act like Alzheimer’s are reversible with appropriate treatment.Here are 10 potentially reversible causes ofdementia symptoms.
Worried that a loved one hasAlzheimer’s disease? While you may be right, you should be sure to have a physicianconduct a thorough evaluationto be certain. Some illnesses and conditions that look and act like Alzheimer’s are reversible with appropriate treatment.
Here are 10 potentially reversible causes ofdementia symptoms.
1Normal Pressure HydrocephalusWIN-Initiative / Neleman / Getty ImagesCommonly referred to as “water on the brain,“normal pressure hydrocephalus(NPH) is a condition where extra spinal fluid gets trapped in the brain instead of traveling through the brain and to the spinal column. This extra fluid often causes a group of three symptoms (often referenced as the classical “triad” of symptoms) occurring together:Confusion andmemory lossUrinary incontinenceBalance and walking problemsProper treatment can sometimes—but not always—reverse some or all of the memory impairment and confusion. Early identification and treatment of NPH typically produce better results.
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Normal Pressure HydrocephalusWIN-Initiative / Neleman / Getty ImagesCommonly referred to as “water on the brain,“normal pressure hydrocephalus(NPH) is a condition where extra spinal fluid gets trapped in the brain instead of traveling through the brain and to the spinal column. This extra fluid often causes a group of three symptoms (often referenced as the classical “triad” of symptoms) occurring together:Confusion andmemory lossUrinary incontinenceBalance and walking problemsProper treatment can sometimes—but not always—reverse some or all of the memory impairment and confusion. Early identification and treatment of NPH typically produce better results.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
WIN-Initiative / Neleman / Getty Images
Commonly referred to as “water on the brain,“normal pressure hydrocephalus(NPH) is a condition where extra spinal fluid gets trapped in the brain instead of traveling through the brain and to the spinal column. This extra fluid often causes a group of three symptoms (often referenced as the classical “triad” of symptoms) occurring together:
Proper treatment can sometimes—but not always—reverse some or all of the memory impairment and confusion. Early identification and treatment of NPH typically produce better results.
2Vitamin B12 DefiencyLes Cunliffe / Photolibrary / Getty ImagesLow levels of vitamin B12 cancause symptomsthat are very similar toAlzheimer’s disease. These includememory lossandbehavior changes, such asagitationand irritation.Some people develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 due to poor diets. Other causes of this deficiency include health problems such as pernicious anemia or Crohn’s disease. Older adults can also develop a reduced ability to absorb this vitamin.Vitamin B12 supplementation can often improve or restore your memory and overall cognitive functioning.
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Vitamin B12 DefiencyLes Cunliffe / Photolibrary / Getty ImagesLow levels of vitamin B12 cancause symptomsthat are very similar toAlzheimer’s disease. These includememory lossandbehavior changes, such asagitationand irritation.Some people develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 due to poor diets. Other causes of this deficiency include health problems such as pernicious anemia or Crohn’s disease. Older adults can also develop a reduced ability to absorb this vitamin.Vitamin B12 supplementation can often improve or restore your memory and overall cognitive functioning.
Vitamin B12 Defiency
Les Cunliffe / Photolibrary / Getty Images
Low levels of vitamin B12 cancause symptomsthat are very similar toAlzheimer’s disease. These includememory lossandbehavior changes, such asagitationand irritation.
Some people develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 due to poor diets. Other causes of this deficiency include health problems such as pernicious anemia or Crohn’s disease. Older adults can also develop a reduced ability to absorb this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 supplementation can often improve or restore your memory and overall cognitive functioning.
3Thyroid DisordersA G Holesch / Image Broker / Getty ImagesOne possible cause of memory loss,difficulty finding the right wordand concentrating, poorspatial organization, and slower visual processing is a thyroid problem. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause frustrating cognitivesymptoms, but with treatment, many people’s symptoms fully resolve.
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Thyroid DisordersA G Holesch / Image Broker / Getty ImagesOne possible cause of memory loss,difficulty finding the right wordand concentrating, poorspatial organization, and slower visual processing is a thyroid problem. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause frustrating cognitivesymptoms, but with treatment, many people’s symptoms fully resolve.
Thyroid Disorders
A G Holesch / Image Broker / Getty Images
One possible cause of memory loss,difficulty finding the right wordand concentrating, poorspatial organization, and slower visual processing is a thyroid problem. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause frustrating cognitivesymptoms, but with treatment, many people’s symptoms fully resolve.
4Sleep DeficitsTetra Images / Getty ImagesDid you know that sleep deprivation affects your memory and can also cause some areas of your brain toactually shrink? While being tired is often accepted in our society as normal, chronic sleep deprivation as a teenager and adult can cause our memory and overall cognition to decline.Severe insomnia and sleep deprivation can significantly impact our ability to think and reason. The good news is that there’s a cleartreatmentto this cause of memory loss.
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Sleep DeficitsTetra Images / Getty ImagesDid you know that sleep deprivation affects your memory and can also cause some areas of your brain toactually shrink? While being tired is often accepted in our society as normal, chronic sleep deprivation as a teenager and adult can cause our memory and overall cognition to decline.Severe insomnia and sleep deprivation can significantly impact our ability to think and reason. The good news is that there’s a cleartreatmentto this cause of memory loss.
Sleep Deficits
Tetra Images / Getty Images
Did you know that sleep deprivation affects your memory and can also cause some areas of your brain toactually shrink? While being tired is often accepted in our society as normal, chronic sleep deprivation as a teenager and adult can cause our memory and overall cognition to decline.
Severe insomnia and sleep deprivation can significantly impact our ability to think and reason. The good news is that there’s a cleartreatmentto this cause of memory loss.
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Medications Side Effects or Interactions
ZhangXun / Moment / Getty Images
It’s not uncommon to see people who are on many different medications. While they might all be appropriate and beneficial, there are also times when some medications should be discontinued or decreased. Multiple medications increase the chance for medication interactions and negative side effects, and both of these are well-documented causes of confusion and memory loss.
6Brain TumorsJGI / Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty ImagesWhile no one wants to hear that they have abrain tumor, depending on the size, location, and treatment, a brain tumor can at times be perceived to be a more favorable diagnosis than Alzheimer’s disease because of the potential for treatment. Brain tumors can cause many symptoms including some that affect memory, judgment, personality changes and impulse control.Effectiveness of treatment can range from little to no benefit all the way to full restoration, depending on the type and location of the tumor.
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Brain TumorsJGI / Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty ImagesWhile no one wants to hear that they have abrain tumor, depending on the size, location, and treatment, a brain tumor can at times be perceived to be a more favorable diagnosis than Alzheimer’s disease because of the potential for treatment. Brain tumors can cause many symptoms including some that affect memory, judgment, personality changes and impulse control.Effectiveness of treatment can range from little to no benefit all the way to full restoration, depending on the type and location of the tumor.
Brain Tumors
JGI / Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty Images
While no one wants to hear that they have abrain tumor, depending on the size, location, and treatment, a brain tumor can at times be perceived to be a more favorable diagnosis than Alzheimer’s disease because of the potential for treatment. Brain tumors can cause many symptoms including some that affect memory, judgment, personality changes and impulse control.
Effectiveness of treatment can range from little to no benefit all the way to full restoration, depending on the type and location of the tumor.
7Subdural HemotomasKallista Images / Getty ImagesIn older adults,subdural hematomas—also called subdural hemorrhages—can develop from what may seem a minor bump on the head. Blood vessels can tear and break, causing blood to pool in between the outside of the brain and the dura, its covering.Symptoms of a subdural hematoma include confusion, lethargy, difficulty with speech and headaches. Treatment can involve medication or surgery to drain the blood off the brain. Outcome varies depending on the success of the treatment.
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Subdural HemotomasKallista Images / Getty ImagesIn older adults,subdural hematomas—also called subdural hemorrhages—can develop from what may seem a minor bump on the head. Blood vessels can tear and break, causing blood to pool in between the outside of the brain and the dura, its covering.Symptoms of a subdural hematoma include confusion, lethargy, difficulty with speech and headaches. Treatment can involve medication or surgery to drain the blood off the brain. Outcome varies depending on the success of the treatment.
Subdural Hemotomas
Kallista Images / Getty Images
In older adults,subdural hematomas—also called subdural hemorrhages—can develop from what may seem a minor bump on the head. Blood vessels can tear and break, causing blood to pool in between the outside of the brain and the dura, its covering.
Symptoms of a subdural hematoma include confusion, lethargy, difficulty with speech and headaches. Treatment can involve medication or surgery to drain the blood off the brain. Outcome varies depending on the success of the treatment.
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Delirium
Westend61 / Getty Images
When a change in condition is noticed, whether it’s an increase inchallenging behaviors, more lethargy or increased confusion, an infection should be suspected. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the cause of delirium are important for restored cognition.
9Depression (Pseudodementia)MachineHeadz / E+ / Getty ImagesSometimes, symptoms of depression can look like dementia; this is often referred to aspseudodementia. Depression can cause a person to lack motivation, have difficulty concentrating or paying attention, and feel lethargic about any activity. These symptoms can overlap with early signs of dementia, yet often people with depression can perform fairly well on cognitive screening tests, even if they report memory problems.Understanding the symptoms of depression, getting an accurate assessment from a professional and accessing prompt treatment are important for your cognitive and emotional health.
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Depression (Pseudodementia)MachineHeadz / E+ / Getty ImagesSometimes, symptoms of depression can look like dementia; this is often referred to aspseudodementia. Depression can cause a person to lack motivation, have difficulty concentrating or paying attention, and feel lethargic about any activity. These symptoms can overlap with early signs of dementia, yet often people with depression can perform fairly well on cognitive screening tests, even if they report memory problems.Understanding the symptoms of depression, getting an accurate assessment from a professional and accessing prompt treatment are important for your cognitive and emotional health.
Depression (Pseudodementia)
MachineHeadz / E+ / Getty Images
Sometimes, symptoms of depression can look like dementia; this is often referred to aspseudodementia. Depression can cause a person to lack motivation, have difficulty concentrating or paying attention, and feel lethargic about any activity. These symptoms can overlap with early signs of dementia, yet often people with depression can perform fairly well on cognitive screening tests, even if they report memory problems.
Understanding the symptoms of depression, getting an accurate assessment from a professional and accessing prompt treatment are important for your cognitive and emotional health.
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Wernicke’s Encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Dana Hoff / Photographer’s Choice RF / Getty Images
Korsakoff’s syndrome is typically a long-term condition that sometimes follows an incident of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. It more closely resembles dementia’s symptoms and includes confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, andconfabulation(making up stories).
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 25% of people with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will fully recover.
A Word From VerywellIt’s normal to be concerned if you recognize symptoms of cognitive decline such as memory loss or confusion. Rather than simply hope that those symptoms will resolve on their own or assume that they are due to Alzheimer’s disease, be sure to see the doctor. Prompt assessment, diagnosis, and early treatment may be able to improve or even reverse that decline.
A Word From Verywell
It’s normal to be concerned if you recognize symptoms of cognitive decline such as memory loss or confusion. Rather than simply hope that those symptoms will resolve on their own or assume that they are due to Alzheimer’s disease, be sure to see the doctor. Prompt assessment, diagnosis, and early treatment may be able to improve or even reverse that decline.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Samuels MH.Psychiatric and cognitive manifestations of hypothyroidism.Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2014;21(5):377-383. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000089
Ma Y, Liang L, Zheng F, et al.Association between sleep duration and cognitive decline.JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Sep 1;3(9):e2013573. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13573.
Do D, Schnittker J.Utilization of medications with cognitive impairment side effects and the implications for older adults' cognitive function.J Aging Health. 2020 Oct;32(9):1165-1177. doi: 10.1177/0898264319895842.
Coomans MB, van der Linden SD, Gehring K, at al.Treatment of cognitive deficits in brain tumour patients: current status and future directions.Curr Opin Oncol. 2019;31(6):540-547. doi:10.1097/CCO.0000000000000581
Harvard Medical School.Subdural hematoma.
Lippmann S, Perugula ML.Delirium or dementia?Innov Clin Neurosci; 13(9-10):56-57.
Sekhon S, Marwaha R.Depressive cognitive disorders. In: StatPearls.
Vasan S, Kumar A.Wernicke encephalopathy. In: StatPearls.
Alzheimer’s Association.Korsakoff syndrome.
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