Certain cognitive functions may be affected early, whereas others remain relatively unimpaired. Associated focal neurological signs and symptoms include extensor plantar response, pseudobulbar palsy, gait abnormalities, exaggeration of deep tendon reflexes, and weakness of an extremity. Structural imaging studies usually indicate multiple vascular lesions of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures. The onset of vascular dementia may occur any time in late life but becomes less common after age 75, while the incidence of Alzheimer's disease continues to rise. The degree to which strokes alone are responsible for dementia is unclear.
Vascular dementia tends to progress in a stepwise fashion but can be static.
Early treatment of hypertension and vascular disease may prevent further progression. With Delirium, With Delusions, With Depressed Mood, and Uncomplicated. No subtyping based on age of onset is used. The dementia associated with Parkinson's disease has an insidious onset and slow progression and is characterized by cognitive and motoric slowing, executive dysfunction, and impairment in memory retrieval. Parkinson's disease is important to psychiatrists because of the high prevalence of associated depression and the frequent occurrence of psychotic symptoms during pharmacologic treatment of the primary motor deficit.