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Q: what if both both parent suffered or are suffering from a form of dementia (not Alzheimer's what are the child's chances to develop dementia?
Hi, Justme,
There's a possibility that dementia could be passed to a child through genes. However, you don't mention whether other family members (such as grandparents or great-grandparents on both sides) have experienced this dementia. You also don't mention when the parents were diagnosed with dementia. At least with Alzheimer's disease, the early onset version has been linked to genetics. If I were in the child's shoes, I'd explore what the research says about the particular type of dementia(s) the parents have.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
Hi Justme,
As Dorian said, when it comes to early on-set Alzheimer's, there seems to be a genetic link. It's less clear with Alzheimer's developing at a later age, because all of us have an increased risk of the disease as we age. Still, with the prevalence in your family, I'd keep a close watch on changes in personality or ability to think clearly. I'd also try my best (I hope) to take very good care of my heart health, as it's widely thought that "what is good for the heart is good for the brain." Also, social activity, as well as continued learning, are good for the brain. There are no guarantees, but these are all things that can contribute to a better quality of life overall.
Take care,
Carol
There is no definitive answer to this because dementia can result from various causes, some of which have a genetic component, some of which do not. It is important to understand that dementia refers to a set of symptoms, including a decrease in cognitive functioning that affects language, memory and judgment. Some types of dementia are reversible and treatable, while other types are not. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of non-reversible dementia, and it is believed that there is a genetic component to the "familial" type of Alzheimer's disease, which affects younger individuals (under the age of 65).
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Hello Dorian and thanks for the reply. Grandparents on mothers side showed no evidense of dementia, grandparents on fathers side is unknow as most of the family died in the holocaust. Nothing is known abt great-grandparents. Father was diagnosed early on, in his 50's, which eventually 30 yrs later, turned into the kind of dementia which made him relive the horrors of the holocaust - there was no peace for him :0(. Mother's dementia showed after a stroke abt 4 yrs. ago, nothing prior, and the most major down turn came after a fall - 2 months ago - in which she broke 6 ribs and was diagnosed with pneumonia and hypoxia. She is now in Assisted living as of 3 days ago.