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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffVascular dementia is an umbrella term that describes impairments in cognitive function caused by problems in blood vessels that feed the brain.
In some cases, a blood vessel may be completely blocked, causing a stroke. Not all strokes cause vascular dementia. It depends on the severity of the stroke, where the stroke occurred and the portion of the brain that's affected. Vascular dementia also can occur when blood vessels in the brain narrow, reducing the amount of blood flow to those sections of the brain.
The prevalence of vascular dementia ranges from 1 to 4 percent in people over the age of 65. Because few treatments are available for vascular dementia, prevention is crucial.
- Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Vascular dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_vascular_dementia.asp. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Bird TD, et al. Dementia. In: Fauci AS, et al.: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904052. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Wright CB. Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of vascular dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Dementia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch213/ch213c.html. Accessed March 14, 2009.
- Aricept (prescribing information). Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: Eisai Inc.; 2006. http://www.aricept.com/images/AriceptComboFullPINovember02006.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Namenda (prescribing information). St. Louis, Mo.: Forrest Pharmaceuticals; 2007. http://www.frx.com/pi/namenda_pi.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Aminoff MJ, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. In: Aminoff MJ, et al. Clinical Neurology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2079000. Accessed March 11, 2009.
- Wright CB. Treatment and prevention of vascular dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2009.
