Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia.
Accounting for 20%
of cases in the UK
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Dementia Statistics Hub
Experts are increasingly preferring the term 'vascular cognitive impairment', to reflect the fact that the effects on memory and thinking are sometimes too mild to be considered as dementia. However, the term vascular dementia is still widely known and used. Vascular dementia occurs when blood vessels (vasculature) of the brain are damaged. This causes a lack of blood flow to the brain tissue, disrupting its function. The most common causes of vascular dementia are stroke-related dementia and subcortical vascular dementia. The biggest risk factor for vascular dementia is age; most people with the condition are over the age of 65.
Stroke-related dementia
Blockages in major vessels of the brain cause strokes, resulting in long lasting damage and vascular dementia. Factors such as smoking, high-blood pressure, age and diabetes can increase the risk of strokes.
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Depending on the areas of damage, stroke-related dementia can cause issues with vision, communication, movement, and coordination.
Subcortical vascular dementia
Often referred to as small vessel disease, subcortical vascular dementia is caused by changes in tiny blood vessels in the brain.
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These changes may not cause prominent symptoms, but overtime thinking ability and memory can be effected. The symptoms of subcortical vascular dementia develop more gradually in contrast to the sudden changes caused by stroke-related dementia.
People living with dementia can often be diagnosed with both vascular dementia and another condition, such as Alzheimer's disease simultaneously. This is known as mixed dementia. Multiple causes of damage to the brain can increase the prevalence of sensory challenges. As areas of the brain concerned with interpretation or perception of sensory information are more likely to be affected.
Further resources
Vascular dementia: what is it and what causes it? - Alzheimer's Society
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What is mixed dementia? - Alzheimer's Society
What is Vascular Dementia? - Alzheimers Research UK
Vascular Dementia - Alzheimer's Association
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