Everything you need to know about Vascular Dementia

Vascular Dementia is caused due to brain damage from cerebrovascular or cardiovascular problems (usually Stroke). It may also result from endocarditis (an infection of the heart’s inner lining, usually the heart valves.), genetic diseases or amyloid angiopathy ( it is a condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain, sometimes causing hemorrhagic or bleeding stroke). Vascular Dementia may coexist with Alzheimer’s disease in many cases. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of dementia diagnosis after Alzheimer’s in senior people.

It is to be noted that the hallmark sign of dementia, memory loss, may or may not occur as the primary symptoms of vascular dementia. The symptoms depend on which area of the brain has been damaged. Stroke sometimes reduces the blood flow to regions of the brain impacting speech, thinking skills, balance and movement of the body.

Symptoms of Vascular Dementia:

→  Confusion

→  Trouble paying attention and concentrating 

→  Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

→  Problems with memory and decision making

→  Restlessness and agitation 

→  Depression or apathy

→  Difficulty with organization

→  Walking unsteadily

 

 

Types of Vascular Dementia:

There are several types of vascular dementia and their signs and symptoms may vary. Let us have a close look at some of them.

Multi Infarct Dementia (MID):

It occurs when a series of small strokes causes a loss of brain function. MID typically includes multiple damaged areas called infarcts along with extensive lesions in the white matter or nerve fibers of the brain. It can cause memory loss and loss of cognitive function and can start psychological problems.

Single- Infarct Dementia:

Sometimes suffering a massive stroke can damage a specific area of the brain enough and cause dementia. This dementia is more common when a stroke occurs on the left side of the brain or when it involves the hippocampus(the elongated ridges on the floor of each lateral ventricle of the brain, thought to be the centre of emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system)

Binswanger’s Disease:

It is also called subcortical vascular dementia which is caused by widespread, microscopic areas of damage to the deep layers of white matter in the brain. This damage is the result of the thickening and narrowing of arteries that feed the subcortical areas of the brain. Binswanger’s leads to brain lesions, loss of memory, disordered cognition and mood changes. People with Binswanger’s often show abnormal blood pressure, stroke, blood abnormalities, disease of the large blood vessels in the neck and/or disease of the heart valves. Other prominent features include urinary incontinence, difficulty walking, clumsiness, slowness, lack of facial expression and speech difficulty. These symptoms, which usually begin after the age of 60, are not always present in all people and may sometimes appear only temporarily. Treatment of this disease is based on symptoms. Doctors may prescribe medications to control high blood pressure, arrhythmias, depression etc.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL):

This type of vascular dementia is an inherited condition that causes stroke, migraine with aura and mood disorders. The first symptom usually appears in people who are in their twenties, thirties or forties. Affected individuals often die by age 65. The symptoms may include decreased mental ability ( thinking, understanding), behavioral changes, confusion etc. According to researchers most people with CADASIL go undiagnosed and the actual prevalence of the disease is not yet known.

Managing Vascular Dementia:

There is no cure for Vascular Dementia like any other form of dementia. Controlling the risk factors that may increase the chance of damage to the blood vessels of the brain is an important treatment strategy, like controlling blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol etc. Also, it is necessary to maintain a healthy body weight. If your senior loved ones have Vascular Dementia, Elder Care Services in Kolkata provide psychotherapy services by certified professional psychotherapists that you can avail for your senior loved  one to make them feel better and relaxed.

This blog focuses on Vascular Dementia and how to manage it to make senior loved ones feel relaxed and comfortable.