There are over 100 different variants of dementia with their own symptoms – below are some of the more lesser-known forms with early warning signs
04:30, 07 Apr 2026
Some forms of dementia are more known about than others(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
Dementia is defined as an umbrella term for a group of neurodegenerative conditions that impact memory, communication skills, reasoning and judgement. Some forms are more well known than others, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common iteration.
Other types like vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia are two others that are more known about, according to the Scottish Government. But there are many other forms of dementia that pose a wide array of symptoms, the Express reports.
Dementia affects around 90,000 Scots, with an estimated 3,000 being under 65, according to the Scottish Government. With no cure, being aware of the different forms of dementia and their symptoms is crucial to getting an early diagnosis and the best treatment.
1. Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD)
This type of dementia is caused by a prion protein infecting the brain. These abnormally shaped proteins build up and cause irreversible damage to nerve cell. One type of CJD, known as variant CJD, is believed to be caused by eating meat from a cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Back in the earlu 90’s and noughties, this human mad cow disease became a major public health crisis in the UK after 421 cattle were diagnosed with BSE in Britain, according to the Center for Food Safety.
CJD symptoms can develop quickly, with many sufferers dying within a year. Warning signs include:
- loss of intellect and memory
- changes in personality
- loss of balance and co-ordination
- slurred speech
- vision problems and blindness
- abnormal jerking movements
- progressive loss of brain function and mobility
2. Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is a result of a hereditary genetic condition that affects mobility, mood and thinking and currently has not cure. Symptoms can appear at any age, but usually emerge between 30 and 50 years old.
Early warning signs of Huntington’s disease include:
- low mood
- depression and anxiety
- irritability and obsessive–compulsive behaviours
- memory problems
- personality changes
- small twitching or jerking movements
- becoming clumsy
More advanced symptoms of Huntington’s disease include:
- difficulty swallowing and speaking
- weight loss
- muscles becoming stiff and movement slower
- more severe mood or personality changes
3. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
NPH is the result of high fluid build up in the brain, despite exhibiting normal pressure readings. It mostly impacts people aged 60 and over. Symptoms of this form of dementia are fast progressing.
The cause of NPH is often unknown but has been seen to develop after head injuries, a brain bleed, and in some cases, severe meningitis.
Symptoms of NPH include:
- difficulty focusing or organising
- planning and switching between tasks
- memory problems
- increased confusion and difficulty responding to questions
- loss of bladder control
- difficulty with walking such as shuffling
4. Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is caused by the increase of brain cells that get damaged over time due to the build-up of the tau protein. This type of dementia primarily affects those aged 60 and over.
The word “supranuclear” refers to the parts of the brain just above the nerve cells that control eye movement.
Symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) include:
problems with balance and mobility (including frequent falls)
- changes in behaviour such as irritability or apathy
- muscle stiffness
- an inability to control eye and eyelid movement
- quiet or slurred speech
- difficulty swallowing
- slowness of thought
- memory problems
5. CADASIL
CADASIL stands for Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy. It is caused by a rare condition passed down that is caused by a gene mutation. Anyone who carries this has a 50/50 chance of developing CADASIL.
Multiple mild strokes are seen in sufferers, which negatively impacts brain tissue, and are sometimes accompanied by migraines.
Common symptoms of CADASIL include:
- migraines with aura
- slurred speech
- weakness down one side of the body
- difficulty with paying attention, planning, organising
- Issues with reasoning or problem-solving
6. Atypical Alzheimer’s disease
There are two forms of atypical Alzheimer’s disease — frontal variant Alzheimer’s disease (fvAD) and posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Around one in 50 people with Alzheimer’s have fvAD, where the condition affects the frontal lobes of their brain earlier than usual.
PCA occurs when the back of the brain is most affected — a region called the visual cortex. Damage to the frontal lobes can cause symptoms including problems with planning and decision-making, and behavioural changes.
Behavioural changes can include loss of inhibitions and behaving inappropriately, loss of motivation, not understanding or caring about the feelings of others, repetitive behaviour and unusual food cravings.
Other early symptoms of Atypical Alzheimer’s disease include:
- difficulty recognising faces and objects in pictures
- difficulty judging distances and problems with spatial awareness.
You can find out more about rarer types of dementia here.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
