A clinical approach to vascular (multiinfarct) dementia

71 patients with an ischaemic stroke were investigated clinically, by psychological tests (WAIS) and Computertomography. On the basis of the investigation the patients were separated into two groups. 40 patients showed early dementia; 31 were without mental impairment. The frequency of strokes, the history of neurological symptoms and the neurological symptoms at admission were distributed evenly. The dominant hemisphere was significantly more often diseased in the demented group; bilateral signs were also significantly more often seen in the demented group. From the investigated risk factors (Hypertension, Cardiac disease, Diabetes, Viscosity, Fibrinogen). Only hypertension was significantly more often present in demented than non demented patients. The CT confirmed the clinical findings, especially the importance of the bilateral distribution of infarcts as well as a higher distribution of infarction in the thalamus in the demented patient group.