Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsParkinson’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s vs. Parkinson’s DementiaCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s vs. Parkinson’s Dementia
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Like other progressive brain diseases, they are associated with a buildup of certain proteins in the brain. Each of these conditions has its own set of symptoms and a specific type of protein accumulation in certain locations of the brain.
While it’s not common, it’s possible to have both diseases at the same time. Alzheimer’s disease always causes dementia; Parkinson’s disease, a movement disorder, can sometimes cause dementia.This article describes the different and similar cognitive (thinking ability) and behavioral changes of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Parkinson’s Disease: Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment
In the late stages of the disease,Parkinson’s dementiacan develop.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Sometimes thesymptoms of Parkinson’s diseasefluctuate over the course of the day, with an overall decline that is noticeable over time. The condition can limit mobility andself-careat all stages.
The most common symptoms include:
You can experience several of these symptoms in the early stages, and you may eventually experience all of them in the late stages.
Parkinson’s Disease Stages
There are well-definedstages of Parkinson’s disease.
The stages are defined as:
Most people with Parkinson’s disease will progress through these stages, but sometimes progression can vary, and you might remain in an early stage for many years.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Many effective treatments can control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, even at late stages. There are no treatments proven to prevent progression.
Common treatments include:
Alzheimer’s Disease: Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment
Alzheimer’s Symptoms
The effects of Alzheimer’s disease worsen over time. Sometimesthe symptomscan be more noticeable when a person is tired or has another illness, such as an infection, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are:
Sometimes these symptoms are associated with each other. For example, forgetting where something is located can make people think it was stolen, worsening paranoia.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
There are several ways that stages of Alzheimer’s disease are defined, and they can progress quickly or slowly. Sometimes progression can seem to slow down, and then the disease can rapidly worsen.
The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease are:
People who have advanced Alzheimer’s disease can become very passive, often losing interest in eating. Nutrition, bedsores, and infections can become serious problems. During the advanced stages, agitation can also be a problem, and people may resist medical care, including actions such as pulling out intravenous lines or feeding tubes.
Alzheimer’s Treatment
There are severalmedical treatmentsthat can be prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. They may help slow down progression of the disease for some people, but they do not treat symptoms or reverse any effects of the disease.
Medications approved for treating Alzheimer’s disease include:
Additionally, symptomatic treatments may be prescribed to alleviate some effects of the disease, such as depression or agitation.
Alzheimer’s vs. Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
The dementia of Parkinson’s disease has some similarities to the dementia of Alzheimer’s disease. And there are some differences, too. Alzheimer’s disease causes dementia slowly over time, while the dementia of Parkinson’s disease often develops more quickly and dramatically.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s dementia can come and go from day to day, while the symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia will not go away.
Similar SymptomsParkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease can both cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in early stages. In later stages, both conditions may lead to delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic symptoms.
Similar Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease can both cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in early stages. In later stages, both conditions may lead to delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic symptoms.
Associated brain changes differ for each condition:
These conditions can cause changes on imaging studies, but they don’t always do so. The protein accumulation may be identified based on research studies and autopsy examination and sometimes with functional brain imaging.
The protein accumulation and brain degeneration are not diagnostic—these findings are used in research studies that examine ways to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia
Coping With Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
Living with both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease is extremely challenging. The dementia of Alzheimer’s combined with the movement effects of Parkinson’s (and possibly Parkinson’s dementia) can make self-care especially difficult.
Rivastigmine is the only medication that is specifically approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s dementia. Additionally, you may need medication for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (those related to movement) and medication to help with other symptoms, such as dry skin.
Lifestyle Changes
Other strategies proven to help people with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease include:
The burden on loved ones can seem overwhelming. Between providing constant care and worrying about your loved one becoming injured or getting lost, you will need to seek professional support to help you take care of your loved one—and get some rest and self-care for yourself.
Consider reaching out to a therapist and/or a support group so you can express your feelings and learn ways to cope.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are each not uncommon, and they occur with advanced age. It can be extremely stressful to learn that you or a loved one has one or both conditions.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important that you use all the resources available to you—social work, home health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritionist—to have the best quality of life possible.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThese conditions do not specifically cause each other or go together, but they can occur together.There is no specific hereditary pattern. You can have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease if you have family members who have the condition, and you can have a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease if you have family members who have it. But more often, these conditions occur sporadically, without any family history.There is no simple answer. Usually, the dementia of Alzheimer’s has more severe effects on a person’s life than Parkinson’s disease, and people who have Alzheimer’s disease usually lose independence and need more care than people who have Parkinson’s disease. But Parkinson’s disease can be severe, and the movement and balance problems can lead to life-threatening falls.No. Most people who have Parkinson’s disease will eventually experience mild cognitive decline, and some people who have Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia. About 10% of people who have Parkinson’s disease develop dementia every year, which is four to six times higher than the general population.Learn MoreDementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease
These conditions do not specifically cause each other or go together, but they can occur together.
There is no specific hereditary pattern. You can have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease if you have family members who have the condition, and you can have a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease if you have family members who have it. But more often, these conditions occur sporadically, without any family history.
There is no simple answer. Usually, the dementia of Alzheimer’s has more severe effects on a person’s life than Parkinson’s disease, and people who have Alzheimer’s disease usually lose independence and need more care than people who have Parkinson’s disease. But Parkinson’s disease can be severe, and the movement and balance problems can lead to life-threatening falls.
No. Most people who have Parkinson’s disease will eventually experience mild cognitive decline, and some people who have Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia. About 10% of people who have Parkinson’s disease develop dementia every year, which is four to six times higher than the general population.Learn MoreDementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease
No. Most people who have Parkinson’s disease will eventually experience mild cognitive decline, and some people who have Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia. About 10% of people who have Parkinson’s disease develop dementia every year, which is four to six times higher than the general population.
Learn MoreDementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease
5 SourcesVerywell 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.Tong Q, Chen L.Associations of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic changes with clinical presentations of Parkinson’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;81(1):201-207. doi:10.3233/JAD-210114Gonzalez-Latapi P, Bayram E, Litvan I, Marras C.Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: Epidemiology, clinical profile, protective and risk factors.Behav Sci (Basel).2021 May 13;11(5):74. doi:10.3390/bs11050074Charissé D, Erus G, Pomponio R, et. al.Brain age and Alzheimer’s-like atrophy are domain-specific predictors of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.Neurobiol Aging.2021 Sep 6;109:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.020Alzheimer’s Association.The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease.Jellinger KA.Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease-dementia: current concepts and controversies.J Neural Transm (Vienna).2018 Apr;125(4):615-650. doi:10.1007/s00702-017-1821-9
5 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.Tong Q, Chen L.Associations of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic changes with clinical presentations of Parkinson’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;81(1):201-207. doi:10.3233/JAD-210114Gonzalez-Latapi P, Bayram E, Litvan I, Marras C.Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: Epidemiology, clinical profile, protective and risk factors.Behav Sci (Basel).2021 May 13;11(5):74. doi:10.3390/bs11050074Charissé D, Erus G, Pomponio R, et. al.Brain age and Alzheimer’s-like atrophy are domain-specific predictors of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.Neurobiol Aging.2021 Sep 6;109:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.020Alzheimer’s Association.The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease.Jellinger KA.Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease-dementia: current concepts and controversies.J Neural Transm (Vienna).2018 Apr;125(4):615-650. doi:10.1007/s00702-017-1821-9
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.
Tong Q, Chen L.Associations of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic changes with clinical presentations of Parkinson’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;81(1):201-207. doi:10.3233/JAD-210114Gonzalez-Latapi P, Bayram E, Litvan I, Marras C.Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: Epidemiology, clinical profile, protective and risk factors.Behav Sci (Basel).2021 May 13;11(5):74. doi:10.3390/bs11050074Charissé D, Erus G, Pomponio R, et. al.Brain age and Alzheimer’s-like atrophy are domain-specific predictors of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.Neurobiol Aging.2021 Sep 6;109:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.020Alzheimer’s Association.The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease.Jellinger KA.Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease-dementia: current concepts and controversies.J Neural Transm (Vienna).2018 Apr;125(4):615-650. doi:10.1007/s00702-017-1821-9
Tong Q, Chen L.Associations of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic changes with clinical presentations of Parkinson’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;81(1):201-207. doi:10.3233/JAD-210114
Gonzalez-Latapi P, Bayram E, Litvan I, Marras C.Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: Epidemiology, clinical profile, protective and risk factors.Behav Sci (Basel).2021 May 13;11(5):74. doi:10.3390/bs11050074
Charissé D, Erus G, Pomponio R, et. al.Brain age and Alzheimer’s-like atrophy are domain-specific predictors of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.Neurobiol Aging.2021 Sep 6;109:31-42. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.020
Alzheimer’s Association.The seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Jellinger KA.Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease-dementia: current concepts and controversies.J Neural Transm (Vienna).2018 Apr;125(4):615-650. doi:10.1007/s00702-017-1821-9
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