As Malaysia’s population ages, cognitive decline and dementia are becoming increasingly common health concerns. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to carry out everyday activities.
Although the risk of dementia increases with age, it is not a normal part of ageing. Factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking and high cholesterol may increase the risk of cognitive decline by affecting blood flow and overall brain health.
Recognising the early warning signs and seeking medical assessment can help identify the cause of cognitive changes and support timely intervention.
While occasional forgetfulness can occur with ageing, dementia often involves changes that are persistent, progressive and begin to affect daily life. Early signs of dementia can include short-term memory loss, difficulty communicating, confusion about time or place, mood and personality changes, and challenges with planning or completing familiar tasks.
In some cases, the early symptoms of dementia can resemble depression, stress, medication side effects or other medical conditions, making professional assessment important.
Dementia symptoms are generally similar in both men and women. However women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease which is commonly associated with memory loss, confusion and loss of recognition of people, places and objects. Early signs of dementia in women may include subtle shifts in mood and executive function.
Men are slightly more likely to develop vascular, frontotemporal, and Lewy body dementias, which can present as challenges with communication, decision making, attention span and may present as changes in behaviour or personality. Some men may experience more noticeable changes in behaviour, judgement or decision-making, particularly in certain forms of dementia such as frontotemporal dementia.
Many people worry that having a parent or close relative with dementia means they will inevitably develop the condition themselves. However, most cases of dementia are not directly inherited. While genetics may increase the risk of certain forms of dementia, factors such as age, cardiovascular health, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions also play an important role. Having a family history of dementia does not mean that developing dementia is unavoidable.
The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a widely used cognitive dementia screening test and is one of several simple tools used to assess memory, attention, spatial awareness and executive function of a person.
During the test, the individual is asked to draw the face of a clock, place the numbers correctly and set the hands to a specific time. Healthcare professionals then evaluate the drawing for signs of difficulties with memory, spatial awareness and executive function.
Subtle changes in brain function can sometimes develop years before dementia is diagnosed. Identifying these changes early may provide an opportunity to investigate potential causes, monitor cognitive health, and implement lifestyle or medical interventions where appropriate.
In addition to traditional assessments such as memory tests and clinical evaluations, newer digital assessment tools can help evaluate different aspects of cognitive function, including memory, attention, processing speed and executive function. These assessments may evaluate key areas of brain function, including memory, attention, processing speed, executive function, and cognitive flexibility.
At Prince Court Medical Centre, digital brain function screening is available as part of a proactive approach to brain health. While digital brain function screening cannot diagnose dementia on its own, it can provide valuable insights into cognitive health and help determine whether further assessment by a neurologist, geriatrician, or other healthcare professional may be beneficial.
Individuals who may consider brain function screening include:
Adults aged 50 and above
Individuals with a family history of dementia
People with diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol
Those experiencing persistent memory concerns or difficulty concentrating
Adults who want a better understanding of their current cognitive health
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, research suggests that maintaining good cardiovascular health may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Other beneficial lifestyle habits include staying mentally active, maintaining good mental well-being, getting adequate nutrition and essential vitamins, prioritising quality sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity. While these measures cannot guarantee prevention, they may help support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline over time.
Dementia can present differently depending on its underlying cause. The four main types of dementia are:
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for the majority of cases and primarily affecting memory, thinking, and behaviour. Those with Alzheimer’s disease develop abnormal protein deposits known as plaques and tangles in their brains that damage healthy brain cells and fibres that connect them.
Vascular dementia is typically caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke or other conditions that damage blood vessels. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia may initially affect planning, organisation, concentration and decision-making more noticeably than memory.
Dementia with Lewy bodies is associated with abnormal protein deposits in the brain, leading to symptoms such as movement difficulties, vivid visual hallucinations, and fluctuations in attention and alertness. In its early stages, dementia with Lewy bodies can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other neurological conditions.
This form of dementia is typically caused by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and related nerve cell connections, resulting in changes in personality, behaviour, judgement and language.
Many people use the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions that cause a gradual decline in brain functions such as memory, attention, language, problem-solving, visual understanding, and social interaction. Alzheimer’s on the other hand is a specific disease under that category.
Think of dementia as a fruit basket and Alzheimer’s disease as an apple. If someone has an apple, they have a fruit but if someone has a fruit, it isn’t necessarily an apple. Similarly, most people with Alzheimer’s have dementia but not all individuals with dementia have Alzheimer’s.
There is no single test that can diagnose dementia. Instead, doctors use a combination of assessments to understand the cause of a person's symptoms. Diagnosis typically involves a review of medical history, cognitive assessments to evaluate memory and thinking skills, and brain imaging such as CT, MRI, or PET scans to identify changes in the brain to support diagnosis.
Blood tests and other investigations may also be used to rule out treatable conditions that can cause similar symptoms, helping healthcare professionals determine the underlying cause of cognitive decline. However, there is currently no single blood test that can diagnose dementia.
It is important to seek medical evaluation if you are experiencing memory or behavioural changes that are becoming more frequent, affecting daily life, or causing concern among family members:
Worsening forgetfulness
Getting lost in familiar places
Confusion with finances or medication
Noticeable behavioural and personality changes
Concerns raised by family members or close friends
Seeking help early can make it easier to identify treatable causes and access appropriate support if needed.
If you or a loved one have noticed persistent memory loss, confusion, behavioural changes or difficulties with everyday tasks, seeking assessment early can help identify the cause and guide appropriate care.
If you have concerns about memory changes, cognitive decline or changes in behaviour, speak to a neurologist or geriatrician for a professional assessment. Book an appointment with the team at Prince Court Medical Centre to learn more.
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