[Neurocognitive Disorders Other Than Alzheimer Disease: Vascular Dementia]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Pathology

Background:

• Vascular dementia (VaD) is a complex syndrome with multiple contributing factors.
• Cerebral small vessel diseases are recognized as a primary driver of VaD.
• These diseases share common pathways despite diverse underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the central role of cerebral small vessel diseases in VaD.
• To identify common pathomechanisms contributing to neuronal dysfunction in VaD.
• To explore the interplay between VaD and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on VaD pathogenesis.
• Analysis of mechanisms underlying various cerebral small vessel diseases.
• Examination of the role of chronic white matter hypoperfusion.
• Investigation of VaD's impact on other neurodegenerative conditions.

Main Results:

• Cerebral small vessel diseases, including sporadic forms, CADASIL/CARASIL, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and amyloid β-related angiitis, are central to VaD.
• Chronic white matter hypoperfusion emerges as a common pathway leading to neuronal dysfunction.
• Vascular dementia can exacerbate cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusions:

• Cerebral small vessel diseases are critical in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.
• Chronic white matter hypoperfusion is a unifying mechanism in VaD.
• Vascular dementia significantly impacts cognitive function and can co-exist with other neurodegenerative disorders.