Dementia cannot be cured. Those affected lose more and more of their abilities.
There are diseases that manifest themselves in a similar way that can be treated. Doctors differentiate between primary and secondary forms of dementia. The latter are reversible, meaning they can be theoretically cured. However, this only accounts for around ten percent of all dementia diagnoses. Up to 90 percent are primary and usually irreversible dementias. Secondary dementia is a consequence of other underlying diseases, such as metabolic diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and chronic symptoms of alcohol poisoning. If these underlying diseases are treated successfully, the symptoms of dementia often disappear. Early diagnosis is important, according to the Federal Ministry of Health. But the causes of dementia are often treatable and even completely curable if they are treated with the right treatment. For more information, visit the Alzheimer Research Initiative eV (AFI), a non-profit association, and the Alzheimer's Foundation of the UK (Alzheimer's UK) website. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.