Dementia

Clinical trials

Clinical trial participants help move research forward while gaining access to the latest potential treatments.

'Paracetamol' photo by Henri Koskinen

About Dementia

Dementia is a decline in cognitive function. It may affect memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. To be considered dementia, at least two of these brain functions must be impaired. Dementia may also cause personality changes.

Dementia is not a disease. It may be caused by a variety of illnesses or injuries, and mental impairment may range from mild to severe. Some dementias are progressive, which means they get worse over time. Some dementias are treatable or even reversible, though some experts restrict the term dementia to irreversible mental deterioration.