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Vascular dementia: a review of recent evidence for prevention and treatment

Howard S Kirshner1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A-0118 Vanderbilt Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. howard.kirshner@vanderbilt.edu

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|October 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Vascular dementia, a common cause of cognitive decline, is linked to vascular issues. Prevention focuses on managing risk factors, similar to preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Geriatrics
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Vascular dementia is a frequent cause of cognitive impairment in older adults.
  • It is associated with vascular risk factors, strokes, and brain imaging findings.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the current understanding of vascular dementia.
  • To highlight preventive strategies and treatment options.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on vascular dementia.
  • Analysis of associations between vascular factors and cognitive decline.
  • Evaluation of preventive and therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Vascular risk factors, transient ischemic attacks, and strokes are strongly associated with dementia.
  • Brain imaging often reveals ischemic changes in affected individuals.
  • Preventive measures are well-established.

Conclusions:

  • Prevention of vascular dementia relies on managing vascular risk factors.
  • Current preventive strategies mirror those for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
  • While promising, other treatments for vascular dementia require further validation.

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