Definition  

Dementia is the progressive loss of memory and various other mental functions, including the ability to learn, reason, and judge. In vascular dementia, impaired blood flow to the brain cause damage that results in dementia. Often, vascular dementia can occur in conjunction with other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease .

Areas of the Brain Affected by Dementia  
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Causes  

Vascular dementia can be the result of a major stroke (called post-stroke dementia) or a series of very small strokes. In post-stroke dementia, the symptoms appear soon after the stroke. When there are a series of small strokes, the symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Risk Factors  

These factors increase your chance of developing vascular dementia. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

  • Gender: male
  • Age: 60-70 years
  • Prior stroke
  • Hardening of the arteries
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Cholesterol problems
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Smoking
  • Family history
Symptoms  

Symptoms may appear suddenly or over time. Symptoms may include:

  • Memory problems
  • Confusion, which may worsen at night
  • Difficulty concentrating, planning, or following instructions
  • Trouble communicating
  • Difficulty carrying out daily activities
  • Symptoms of a stroke—sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, and confusion
    • Call 911 if you or someone you are with has these symptoms.
  • Brain abnormalities seen on imaging studies
Diagnosis  

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Other tests may include:

  • Memory tests and neuropsychological tests
  • CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
Treatment  

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Medications  

There are no medications currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat vascular dementia. But depending on your symptoms, certain medications may be beneficial in treating some symptoms, such as:

  • Methylphenidate (eg, Concerta)
  • Nimodipine (eg, Nimotop)
  • Donepezil (eg, Aricept)
Behavioral Treatment  

There is evidence that engaging in behavioral treatments (eg, problem-solving exercises) may help reduce certain symptoms.

Prevention  

Steps you can take to help prevent vascular dementia include:

  • Do not drink excessively.
  • If you smoke, quit .
  • Control chronic conditions, like high blood pressure , high cholesterol , heart disease, and diabetes .
  • Maintain a healthy weight .
  • Begin a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor.