Pathophysiology of vascular dementia

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
09:17

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

Francesco Iemolo1, Giovanni Duro, Claudia Rizzo

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada. f.iemolo@tin.it

Immunity & Ageing : I & A
|November 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Current Vascular Dementia (VaD) definitions are unclear and diagnose patients too late. New criteria for Vascular Cognitive Impairment are needed for earlier prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Vascular Dementia (VaD) concept recognized for over a century.
  • Current diagnostic criteria are unclear, leading to late identification and missed cases of cognitive impairment.
  • Existing definitions focus on consequences rather than underlying causes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate current diagnostic categories for Vascular Dementia.
  • To propose a shift towards standardized clinical descriptions and etiological identification of cognitive impairment.
  • To emphasize the need for revised criteria for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Post-Stroke Dementia.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and diagnostic frameworks for VaD.
  • Analysis of limitations in current diagnostic approaches.
  • Proposal for a new framework based on standardized clinical assessment and etiological investigation.

Main Results:

  • Current VaD definitions are inadequate for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
  • A significant gap exists in identifying cognitive impairment short of dementia.
  • Focusing on underlying causes is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Current diagnostic categories for VaD should be reconsidered.
  • Standardized clinical assessment and etiological identification are essential for cognitive impairment.
  • Revised criteria for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Post-Stroke Dementia offer potential for early intervention.

More Related Videos

A Visual Approach for Inducing Dolichoectasia in Mice to Model Large Vessel-Mediated Cerebrovascular Dysfunction04:29

A Visual Approach for Inducing Dolichoectasia in Mice to Model Large Vessel-Mediated Cerebrovascular Dysfunction

Published on: May 17, 2024

A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis05:12

A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: November 22, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia 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...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer 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...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Dementia01:30

Dementia

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.