Dementia has many causes, but it’s not a disease in and of itself. Instead, various diseases can cause the symptoms of dementia.
Dementia affects thinking, perceptions, memory, and social abilities. And it can severely disrupt daily life and independence.
Memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of dementia. However, memory loss can also have different causes, and just because someone experiences memory loss doesn’t necessarily mean that they have dementia.
The most common cause of progressive dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease which occurs in older adults. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but certain drug therapies can slow its progression.
Symptoms of Dementia
- Memory loss
- Trouble finding words
- Difficulty with visual tasks, such as getting lost while driving
- Diminished ability to multi-task or solve problems
- Inability to handle complex tasks
- Coordination difficulties
- Inability to organize or plan
- Disorientation/confusion
- Changes in personality
- Depression/anxiety
- Paranoia
- Loss of inhibitions/behaving inappropriately
- Agitation and increased irritability
- Hallucinations, both auditory and visual
It is important to see a physician to determine the underlying cause of dementia, as some cases can be caused by underlying medical issues that may be reversible.
These medical conditions can include:
- Infections
- Autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid problems, low blood sugar, absorption issues with B vitamins
- Dehydration
- Adverse reactions to medications
- Anoxia — where organs may not be getting enough oxygen because of sleep apnea and other conditions
- Injuries to the head such as subdural hematomas
Causes of Progressive Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Vascular dementia — damage to blood vessels in the brain. Slowed thinking, problem-solving, and focus are more pronounced than memory loss.
- Frontotemporal dementia – affects the area of the brain that dictates personality, behavior, thinking, and language. It’s caused by degeneration in the vessels that supply blood to the brain.
- Mixed dementia – some autopsies of people who are over 80 years old have shown that their dementia had several causes, such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Studies on these types of cases are ongoing.
- Lewy body dementia – a condition caused by clumps of protein found in people with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms can include visual hallucinations (which can be terrifying), acting out dreams when sleeping, problems with attention and focus, and, with Parkinson’s, rigidity and tremors.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) dementia – can be caused by severe brain injury or by multiple blows to the head as an athlete might receive. TBI can also cause depression, impaired speech, memory loss, and explosive temper, which may not surface until years after the injury.
- Down syndrome – many people with Down syndrome will develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
While there is currently no cure for dementia, many treatments exist to help treat the symptoms. Here at the Brain Treatment Center Dallas, we offer MeRT to treat various types of dementia.
Dementia and MeRT
MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. This cutting-edge treatment protocol is drug-free, non-invasive, and gentle. MeRT combines technologies of
- transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, an FDA-cleared therapy),
- quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) — also called brain mapping, and
- electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to measure brain-heart coherence
to analyze and formulate treatments tailored to each patient’s unique brain pattern.
How MeRT Differs from Standard TMS
TMS modulates the brain’s electrical activity by using magnetic fields which pass through the scalp from an electromagnetic coil. However, it is important to note that TMS is a generalized approach to neuromodulation because it can only target a single location in the brain with a single frequency.
MeRT is a much more individualized approach to brain modulation, tailored to the patient’s needs based on frequency, location, and power used. This is done based on comprehensive EEG testing to determine the exact frequency of the brain.
The EEG tells us the brain’s pattern of function and activity. By analyzing the results, we can then determine how to synchronize the brainwaves and encourage improved brain communication.
With the information we gather from the EEG, we can then devise a highly personalized protocol for each patient.
MeRT can also be used alongside other rehabilitation therapies. Many patients have reported that they experienced significant clinical improvements after undergoing this type of treatment.*
How Long is MeRT Treatment for Dementia?
Treatment for dementia usually lasts four to six weeks, with follow-up intervals as needed.
Appointments are 30-45 minutes long, Monday through Friday. Many patients report they begin to notice the benefits of treatment within the first week.*
It’s also important to note that while MeRT can’t cure or reverse dementia, it can slow down the progression and improve a person’s quality of life.
To learn more about the MeRT process and treatment protocols, please visit our MeRT page.
Our Medical Director is a Specialist in MeRT Treatment
Dr. Spencer Miller is a Board-certified Neurologist and the Medical Director and owner of the Brain Treatment Center Dallas (and our sister center in Plano).
He is a MeRT specialist and was the first physician to bring MeRT to Texas.
Dr. Miller has treated hundreds of patients with MeRT and has dedicated his life to helping those with neurological disorders, including dementia patients.
Read more about Dr. Miller — including his personal experience with MeRT treatment — by visiting the About Dr. Miller page.
“The easier way to understand what exactly we do is [to] use an analogy of a symphony. If a symphony conductor stood up and had everybody playing A and suddenly one of the first violins ends up playing an F minor or another note, that’s similar to what we call pathology or asynchrony or some sort of damage to the brain.
“And our goal is to be the conductor and correct it and make everybody play exactly the same notes or at least notes in harmony.
“When we see on an EEG that there is an abnormal signal somewhere in the brain or a low frequency… it’s very similar to the first violin playing the wrong note.
“The brain has an intrinsic frequency, and it’s different for everybody. And if you can align all the brain tissue to operate under that same frequency, that’s called synchrony coherence efficiency.
“We’re trying to make the brain operate as efficiently as possible.”
– Dr. Spencer Miller
Brain Treatment Center – Dallas
Contact our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More about MeRT Treatment for Dementia
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope, as they don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s rewarding as a practitioner to help so many people realize a much better “normal” and a greatly improved quality of life.
If you have questions or would like to discuss our treatment protocols, we offer a free consultation by phone.
Our New Patient Coordinator will take the time to listen and explain. She can answer most questions and discuss our protocols, scheduling, fees, and other information. And she is happy to assist you in any way she can.
Please call us to get more information about how our clinic and Dr. Miller may help you and to schedule an initial screening to see if MeRT may be an option.
Call our New Patient Coordinator at
214-225-1657
Or Fill in the form below and we will contact you.
Contact Us
*The results shown are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed.
