It is a progressive and permanent loss of brain function, due to the lack of blood supply in different areas of the brain. It is the second cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, smoking and previous stroke are present in most cases.
Symptoms appear or worsen rapidly: the patient loses the ability to perform usual tasks, becomes disoriented, cannot find the right words, and becomes agitated and aggressive. Finally, the patient loses all social contact.
Diagnosis is clinical by interrogation, complete neurological examination including a specific test and some imaging tests.
There is no cure for the affected area of the brain, but controlling the triggering factors can prevent new infarctions from occurring.
- Clinton B Wright, MD, MS. Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of vascular dementia. UpToDate. Jul 11, 2016.
- Levine DA, Galecki AT, Langa KM, et al. Trajectory of Cognitive Decline After Incident Stroke. JAMA 2015; 314:41.
- Rist PM, Chalmers J, Arima H, et al. Baseline cognitive function, recurrent stroke, and risk of dementia in patients with stroke. Stroke 2013; 44:1790.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), American Psychiatric Association, Arlington, VA 2013.
- Seeley WW, Miller BL. Enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición: 2602.
