Progressive and permanent loss of brain function due to lack of blood supply to different areas of the brain. It is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, smoking and previous strokes are present in most cases.
Symptoms appear or worsen rapidly: the person can no longer carry out daily activities, there is disorientation, the words they want to say don't come out, there is agitation and aggression, and eventually all social contact is lost.
It is diagnosed clinically through an interview, a full neurological examination including a specific test, and an imaging scan.
There is no cure for the affected area of the brain, but new strokes can be prevented if the triggering factors are controlled.
- 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.
