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Vascular dementia, also called "multi-infarct dementia" is the most common subtype under "Dementias Caused by Other Medical Conditions" in the DSM-IV system. It is the result of emboli (obstructions to blood flow) in the brain; the most common emboli are blood clots. These produce what would be commonly referred to as "strokes," if they occurred on a detectable scale. The emboli cause a destruction of brain tissue in areas where the blood supply to brain cells is interrupted. High blood pressure increases the probability that emboli will develop; hence control of blood pressure probably helps to prevent vascular dementia. Prompt
treatment in the very early stages can prevent much of the brain
damage, and thus much of the attendant cognitive disability, in some
types of strokes, but not in others. The emboli that cause
multi-infarct dementia may be so small individually that they are
not detectable, but their influence accumulates to cause dementia. The
cognitive disability may decrease slightly over time, given
appropriate treatment, but the prognosis is pessimistic in most
cases. Most if not all of the brain damage is irreversible at
present, although the brain has shown more ability to recover than
traditionally thought. Advances in the use of neural growth factor
or other medications yet to be discovered may change this picture.
Last updated 12/19/03 |
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