ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the biological basis of dementia; keeping in mind that dementia is more than, but inclusive of, the clinical damage to the brain. There are recognised signs and symptoms, which tend to be universal–common to all–but dementia is not universal; rather, it is a very personal condition. Dementia itself is not a specific illness or any single disease process; it is a term used to describe a collection of related diseases and pathologies. When different though potentially related disease processes lead to a similar result, this broad pattern of symptoms is grouped together for ease of reference, and this 'grouping' is referred to as a syndrome. Dementia is progressive, which means the characteristic symptoms will gradually get worse and the person will become more reliant on assistance and may as the process develops require full nursing care.
