Vascular dementia
From IDWiki
Definition
- Progressive stepwise cognitive decline caused by cerebrovascular disease (i.e. strokes)
Pathophysiology
- Ischemic strokes
Risk Factors
- All risk factors for stroke are also risk factors for vascular dementia
- Prior stroke
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Atrial fibrillation
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Diabetes
Clinical Manifestations
- History
- Stepwise cognitive and neurological deficits
- May be random or patchy defects
- Often decline in complex attention
- Signs & Symptoms
- Full neuro exam for evidence of prior strokes
- Exam for vascular risk factors
Management
Non-pharm
exercise, cognitive stim, mediterranean diet
Pharm
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Doesn't delay institutionalisation
