J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.
2012 Dec;16(2):82-88.
Vascular Dementia
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea. psyleekr@naver.com
- 2Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 3Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Institute of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Vascular dementia (VaD) is a dementia syndrome produced by vascular damage to the brain and increases in incidence with advancing age. Early Identification and diagnosis of VaD is particularly importent since its course may be modifiable through controlling vascular risk factors. VaD is heterogeneous and consists of several syndromes : multi-infarct dementia, strategic single infarcts dementia, and subcortical vascular dementia. The diagnosis of VaD is based on several features 1) dementia, 2) evidence of cerebrovascular disease, and 3) temporal relationship between dementia and cerebrovascular disease. Treatment of VaD includes control of vascular risk factors, prevention of further vascular injury and treatment of cognitive impairment. Cholinesterase inhibitors provide symptomatic benefits in treatment of VaD.
