Vascular Dementia

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Vascular Dementia (VaD)** is the second most common type of dementia. It causes changes in thinking skills and problems with memory, speech and balance. Cognitive and brain function can be significantly affected by the size, location and number of vascular changes. When the symptoms are clearly linked to a stroke, this condition is sometimes called **Post-Stroke Dementia**.

## Signs & Symptoms

Vascular dementia symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain where blood flow is impaired. Symptoms often overlap with those of other types of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. The most significant symptoms of vascular dementia involve the speed of thinking and problem-solving rather than memory loss.

### Early Signs

Early signs someone might have vascular dementia include:

* Not being able to understand or respond to thinks quickly
* Not being able to remember things
* Finding it difficult to concentrate
* Not being able to find the right word when speaking
* Struggling to plan ahead for everyday rtasks
* Difficulty learning new tasks
* Seeming low or depressed

### Later Stage Symptoms

At a later stage, symptoms may include:

* Confusion
* Behaving differently, especially being aggressive
* Lacking motivation
* Not being able to control one's emotions
* Finding it difficult to walk or keep balanced
* Having problems controlling one's bladder

One may also experience symptoms similar to a stroke if the cause of this condition is a stroke, such as a sudden headache or numbness/paralysis on the side of the face or body.

These symptoms can happen suddenly or begin mildly and get worse over time.

## Causes

Vascular dementia can result from a stroke that blocks an artery in one's brain and other conditions that damage blood vessels and reduce circulations, such as a brain hemorrhage.

Factors that increase one's risk of heart disease and stroke, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking, can also raise the risk of vascular dementia.

## Treatment

Because of the many different disease processes that result in different forms of vascular dementia, there may not be one treatment for all. Vascular dementia is often managed with medications to prevent stroke and reduce the risk of additional brain damage. Medications that are used to treat Alzheimer's might benefit some with an early form of vascular dementia.

## Types of Vascular Dementia

### Strategic Infarct Dementia

Strategic infarct dementia occurs when one large stroke causes vascular dementia. Strategic infarct dementia is characterized by the sudden onset of changes in thinking skills and behavior. Provided no further stroke occurs, these symptoms may remain stable or even improve over time. However, if there are other vascular diseases also affecting the brain or additional strokes occur symptoms may worsen.

### Multi-Infarct Dementia

Multi-Infarct dementia is caused by multiple strokes. Over time, as more strokes occur, more damage is done to the brain to the point that a vascular dementia diagnosis is made. Depending on the location of brain damage, other symptoms may include depression or mood swings. After each new stroke, symptoms can worsen, then stabilize for a while.

### Subcortical Vascular Dementia

Subcortical vascular dementia is associated with diseases in the small blood vessels within the brain and damage to the subcortical areas of the brain. This condition is usually progressive, with symptoms worsening over time as more vascular damage occurs.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378793

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378793

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vascular-dementia

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/vascular-dementia

https://memory.ucsf.edu/dementia/vascular-dementia

https://www.stroke.org.uk/effects-of-stroke/vascular-dementia

https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia