Which illness can lead to significant cognitive decline and behavioral changes?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that specifically affects cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and reasoning. As it advances, those afflicted can experience profound cognitive decline, leading to difficulties with day-to-day tasks and personal care. Behavioral changes, such as increased anxiety, agitation, and even personality shifts, are common as the disease progresses.

This understanding is rooted in the pathology of Alzheimer’s, where the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles disrupts neuronal function and leads to the death of brain cells.

In contrast, while other conditions listed can cause various neurological issues, they do not typically lead to the same broad and progressive cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis primarily affects motor neurons, epilepsy involves seizures which may impact awareness temporarily but not through a steady decline, and spastic cerebral palsy mainly affects motor functions rather than cognition. Each of these conditions has distinct characteristics and impacts on cognitive function and behavior compared to Alzheimer’s disease.