Definition:
Vascular dementia is medical umbrella term that generally describes mental impairments and disorders that affect the cognitive functioning of the brain. This is usually caused by abnormalities in the blood vessels that are responsible in feeding the brain. Blockages in the blood usually cause stroke that causes dementia.
Diagnosis:
Basis for diagnosis include MRI scans and CT Scans to check the infracts in the brain. A Doppler ultrasound may also be conducted to check the arteries in the neck that is directly feeding the brains. Additionally, a neuropsychological tests can help detect the type and degree of cognitive impairment.
Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for vascular dementia. There are certain medications that are specifically designed to manage the symptoms such as Cholinesterase inhibitors.
Symptoms and Signs:
Vascular dementia symptoms usually vary, which may greatly depend on the portion of the affected brain. Common symptoms include problems with memory and language, confusion and agitation, personality and mood changes, urinary frequency and incontinence.
Causes:
Vascular dementia is frequently caused by the narrowing or a complete blockage of one or more blood vessels in the brain. The risk of vascular dementia increases as the silent infractions increases. Other causes include very low blood pressure, blood vessel damage, and brain damage that cause hemorrhage.
