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Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is marked by the decline of mental abilities including problems with memory, thinking, and planning.1 This can result from conditions that damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to specific areas of the brain.2

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia.3 As with other types of dementia, increasing age is a major risk factor. Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia can develop gradually over time or can appear suddenly following an event such as a stroke.

What causes vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is caused by brain damage from reduced blood flow and lack of oxygen to the brain.2 This is due to conditions that damage blood vessels in the body. Stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes are common conditions that can harm blood vessels and increase risk of vascular dementia.

Who is at risk?

High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke can harm blood vessels and increase the risk of developing vascular dementia.2 Other risk factors include2,3:

  • Increasing age
  • Smoking
  • Poor diet
  • Uncontrolled high cholesterol
  • Limited physical activity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption


Evidence suggests that adopting lifestyle habits to prevent or manage health conditions that harm the heart and blood vessels can protect the brain and lower the risk of vascular dementia.4

What are the signs & symptoms of vascular dementia?

Signs and symptoms for vascular dementia may appear gradually or suddenly.3 Symptoms that appear suddenly can usually occur after a stroke. The signs and symptoms related to vascular dementia vary and are dependent on the specific area(s) of the brain affected. This can make it harder to distinguish it from other types of dementia.1

Problems with thinking, organization, and attention are signs and symptoms most noticeable in people with vascular dementia. Other signs and symptoms can include2,5:

  • Confusion
  • Trouble maintaining balance
  • Problems concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Depression
  • Changes in mood

If you or someone you care about start to notice signs and symptoms of vascular dementia, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

How is vascular dementia diagnosed?

There is no specific test to diagnose vascular dementia.6 Doctors may perform cognitive assessments, brain scans, blood tests, and review any medical history of vascular conditions like stroke or high blood pressure to help confirm a diagnosis.

It is important to note that brain changes caused by vascular dementia often coexists with other types of dementia, resulting in mixed dementia (a condition in which brain changes are caused by two or more types of dementia).7 Vascular dementia commonly co-occurs with Alzheimer’s disease.

Getting an early diagnosis can help people and their families find the resources and support they need to live with vascular dementia.

How is vascular dementia treated?

Currently, no treatment exists to reverse brain changes associated with vascular dementia.8 The treatment options available focus on managing the underlying vascular conditions and preventing additional damage to blood vessels that can impact blood flow to the brain. For example, doctors may prescribe medications and recommend lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Work with your doctor and care team to find the treatment plan that works best.

References

  1. National Institute on Aging (2021). Vascular Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vascular-dementia
  2. Alzheimer's Association. (2023). Vascular Dementia. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia
  3. Cahn-Weiner, D., & Radke, A. (2018). Vascular Dementia. Family Caregiver Alliance. https://www.caregiver.org/resource/vascular-dementia/
  4. Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of The Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396, (10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30367-6
  5. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Vascular dementia - Symptoms & causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378793
  6. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Vascular dementia - Diagnosis & treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378798
  7. Alzheimer's Association. (2023). Mixed Dementia. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/mixed-dementia
  8. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Vascular Dementia. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dementia/vascular-dementia
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