Vascular Dementia

Question 1

Vascular dementia

Answer 1

Second most common cause of dementia
Around 10% are pure VaD, 15% are mixed

Question 2

Onset

Answer 2

Between 60-75 years old

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

History of stroke
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Smoking
Obesity

Question 4

Course

Answer 4

Variable, depending on when/where ischemic events occur in the brain
Often has periods of stability followed by rapid deterioration due to additional strokes

Question 5

Pathology

Answer 5

Caused by cerebrovascular disease or impaired cerebral blood glow
MRI shows hyperintensities

Question 6

Neuropsychological performance

Answer 6

Frontal-subcortical profile - slowed processing speed, impaired attention/concentration, executive dysfunction, impaired memory secondary to attention/concentration