DEMENTIA

SUBMITTED BY :ANTONY LIYA

M2162P
INTRODUCTIO
N
• Dementia is a syndrome associated
with many neurodegenerative diseases,
characterized by a general decline in
cognitive abilities that affects a
person's ability to perform everyday
activities. This typically involves
problems with memory , thinking ,
behavior , and motor control. Aside
from memory impairment and
a disruption in thought patterns, the
most common symptoms of dementia
include emotional problems, difficulties
with language, and
decreased motivation. The symptoms
may be described as occurring in
a continuum over several
stages. Dementia ultimately has a
significant effect on the individual,
their caregivers, and their social
relationships in general.
CLASSIFICATION
Sympto
ms
 DIAGNOSIS
No single test can diagnose dementia. You'll likely need a number of tests that can
help pinpoint the problem.
Cognitive and neuropsychological tests
These tests evaluate your thinking ability. A number of tests measure thinking
skills, such as memory, orientation, reasoning and judgment, language skills, and
attention.
Neurological evaluation
Your memory, language skills, visual perception, attention, problem-solving skills,
movement, senses, balance, reflexes and other areas are evaluated.
Brain scans
CT or MRI. These scans can check for evidence of stroke, bleeding, tumor or fluid
buildup, known as hydrocephalus.
PET scans. These scans can show patterns of brain activity. They can determine
whether amyloid or tau protein, hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, have been
deposited in the brain.
Vascular
Dementia
• Vascular dementia is a non-
neurodegenerative
dementia caused by a
series of strokes. Restricted
blood flow due to strokes
reduces oxygen and
glucose delivery to the
brain, causing cell injury
and neurological deficits in
the affected region
 • Subcortical vascular dementia.
This occurs when small blood
vessels in the white matter of the
brain are damaged, affecting the
communication between different
brain regions.

TYPES OF • Multi-infarct dementia. This

occurs after repeated small strokes
VASCULAR that block blood flow to certain
parts of the brain, causing
DEMENTIA cumulative damage over time.
• Stroke related dementia. This
occurs after a single large stroke
that affects a significant part of the
brain, causing sudden and severe
cognitive impairment.
• Mixed dementia. This occurs
when symptoms of both vascular
dementia and Alzheimer's disease
exist.
 The 7 stages of vascular dementia
• Normal behavior: No discernible change in
behavior or cognitive abilities.
• Very mild cognitive decline: Pre-dementia
stage with minimal symptoms.
STAGES • Mild cognitive decline: Noticeable memory
OF difficulties.
• Moderate cognitive decline: Daily tasks
VASCULAR become challenging.

DEMENTIA • Moderately severe cognitive decline: Affects

all areas of life.
• Severe cognitive decline: Significant
impairment.
• Very severe cognitive decline: Profound
cognitive deficits
 • Narrowing (atherosclerosis) and/or blockage of
many blood vessels (ischemic strokes)
or capillaries (small vessel disease) in your brain.
• Bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel (like
a hemorrhagic stroke) in your brain.
Certain factors increase your risk of experiencing
these blood vessel issues and vascular dementia,
including:

CAUSES • Atrial fibrillation

• Diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).
• History of stroke.
• Increasing age, especially being 60 or older.
• Smoking.
Diagnosis
Lab tests Neurological exam
• Blood pressure is to check your overall neurological
health by testing your:
• Cholesterol • Reflexes
• Blood sugar • Muscle tone and strength, and how
• Thyroid disorders strength on one side of your body
• Vitamin deficiencies compares with the other side
• Ability to get up from a chair and walk
across the room
• Sense of touch and sight
• Coordination
• Balance
Brain imaging Neuropsychological
• Magnetic resonance imaging tests
(MRI): MRIs are generally the
preferred imaging test because MRIs
This type of exam assesses
can provide even more detail than your ability to:
computed tomography (CT) scans
about strokes, ministrokes and blood • Speak, write and
vessel abnormalities and is the test of understand language
choice for evaluating vascular
dementia. • Work with numbers
• Computerized tomography (CT)
scan: CT scan can provide • Learn and remember
information about your brain's information
structure; tell whether any
regions show shrinkage; and
• Develop a plan of attack
detect evidence of a stroke, and solve a problem
ministroke (transient ischemic • Respond effectively to
attacks), a change in blood
vessels or a tumor. hypothetical situations
Attribute Vascular Alzheimer' Lewy Body
Dementia s Disease Dementia

Onset Sudden, Gradual Gradual

post-stroke

Progression Stepwise Continuous Fluctuating

Memory Variable Prominent Variable

Loss
Neurologic Focal None until Parkinsonis
al Signs late m

Differential Diagnosis of Vascular Dementia

 TREATMENT

There is no cure, vascular dementia is not reversible

once your brain is damaged, it can’t be repaired
completely. Instead, the main goal of vascular
dementia treatment is to prevent or slow down further
damage by managing risk factors.
Medication
Beta blockers: Atenolol
Antidiabetics: Metformin
Antiplatelet drugs: Aspirin
Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil) to improve co
gnitive symptoms
Therapies
Cognitive and behavioral therapies: To help manage sy
mptoms and improve quality of life.
Physical therapy: To maintain mobility and balance
Lifestyle Modifications:
Healthy diet: Rich in fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, and lean proteins.
Regular exercise: To improve overall car
diovascular health.
Mental stimulation: Activities like puzzle
s, reading, and social engagement.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol co
nsumption
COMPLICATIONS
If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to
• Behavioral problems
• Depression
• Gait abnormality
• Falls
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Decubitus ulcers
• Syndrome of delayed post hypoxic leukoencephalopathy
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Diagnosing Alzheimer's: How Alzheimer's is diagnose
d - Mayo Clinic
Vascular Dementia
• Dementia: Stages, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
s (webmd.com)
• Dementias: Etiologies and Differential Diagnoses - Bar
row Neurological Institute
• Vascular Dementia | Symptoms & Treatments | alz.org
• Vascular Dementia: Symptoms, Prognosis, Types, Dia
gnosis, and Treatment (webmd.com)