A disorder that arises when multiple areas of the brain suffer damage caused by multiple strokes with impairment of brain function (e.g., memory and judgment deterioration, personality changes).
Dementia caused by a number of small strokes, when the dementia is not progressive as in Alzheimer’s disease but increases in steps as new strokes occur.
Decreased cognitive functioning due to many small vascular occlusions in the brain.
Dementia resulting from multiple small strokes. After Alzheimer’s disease, it is the most common form of dementia in the U.S. It has a distinctive natural history. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which develops insidiously, the cognitive deficits of multi-infarct dementia appear suddenly, in “step-wise” fashion. The disease is rare before middle age and is most common in patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or other risk factors for generalized atherosclerosis. Brain imaging in patients with this form of dementia shows multiple lacunar infarctions.
Vascular major neurocognitive disorder, also known as cerebrovascular major neurocognitive disorder, is a significant cognitive impairment that arises from the damage inflicted upon brain tissue due to a sequence of blood clots or obstructions within the blood vessels.
A decline in brain function caused by the death of tiny sections of brain tissue. This condition stands as the second most prevalent origin of dementia, following Alzheimer’s disease. The ailment arises when clots obstruct small blood vessels within the brain, impeding blood flow to specific regions and leading to oxygen deprivation in the affected tissue. The likelihood of developing multi-infarct dementia is elevated in individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure) and atherosclerosis (constriction of arteries due to fatty deposits on their walls).
The symptoms differ based on which area of the brain is impacted, but they worsen gradually, in clear stages, following each occurrence. These symptoms comprise memory disturbances, leading to an inability to recollect recent happenings or becoming disoriented in familiar places. Additionally, challenges arise in decision-making and the execution of basic tasks, along with shifts in mood like depression or restlessness. Those affected frequently encounter repeated episodes of transient ischemic attacks or strokes.
The diagnosis relies on the observed symptoms and, when needed, is validated through brain MRI or CT scans. Antihypertensive medications might be recommended for blood pressure management, and aspirin is commonly prescribed to lower the likelihood of disease advancement. Individuals can additionally contribute to shielding themselves from additional infarcts by adhering to a low-fat diet and engaging in regular exercise.