Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
09:17
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Attentional disorder in vascular dementia
K Inasaridze1, G Sikharulidze, T Malishava
1Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia.
Georgian Medical News
|August 15, 2006
Summary
Vascular dementia (VaD) significantly impairs selective attention, distinguishing it from normal aging. This study established Digit Symbol Coding norms for Georgian elderly, confirming attention deficits in VaD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Vascular dementia (VaD) diagnosis and clinical trials are limited by narrow definitions.
- VaD is characterized by preserved memory but impaired attention and executive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate attentional deficits in VaD patients compared to healthy controls.
- To establish normative data for the Digit Symbol Coding (DSC) task in the Georgian elderly population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 15 VaD patients, 64 young adults, and 64 healthy elderly individuals.
- Selective attention was assessed using the Digit Symbol Coding (DSC) task.
- Dementia severity was determined by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); aphasia was excluded.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in DSC task performance was found across the three groups (p<.0001).
- Attentional deficits were a prominent feature of VaD.
- The DSC task effectively differentiated VaD patients from healthy elderly participants and revealed an aging effect.
Conclusions:
- Attentional impairment is a key characteristic of vascular dementia.
- The DSC task is a valuable tool for assessing selective attention in VaD and aging populations.
- Normative data for the DSC task were established for the Georgian elderly.
More Related Videos
04:29A Visual Approach for Inducing Dolichoectasia in Mice to Model Large Vessel-Mediated Cerebrovascular Dysfunction
Published on: May 17, 2024
07:26Characterizing the Relationship Between Eye Movement Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Non-demented Parkinson's Disease Patients with Eye Tracking
Published on: September 26, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...