Probable risk factors are high blood pressure and advanced age. This disease can cause stroke, dementia, migraine-like headaches, and psychiatraic disturbances. Usually the damage is so slight that the change is noticeable only as a series of small steps. However over time, as more small vessels are blocked, there is a gradual mental decline. MID, which typically begins between the ages of 60 and 75, affects men more often than women.
Some disorders have similar or even overlapping symptoms.
The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis. Some of these changes are caused by problems that can be treated or corrected, like a poor diet or lack of sleep. Sometimes too many medicines cause these symptoms in older people. However, Multi-infarct dementia usually affects people between the ages of 60 and 75. Men are slightly more likely than women to have multi-infarct dementia.