Vascular Dementia

Saturday, March 1, 2003

Pees jaoh od ae ns ni tamed, nn Os newiny . apy nat nefron 5 ha Whee Vascular Dementia? A Growing Health Concern (NAPSA)—Have you recently had a stroke? Do you often have problems with your memory, such as trouble making a decision or following a nversation? If you answered “yes” to both questions, you may be experiencing a ndition called vascular dementia (VaD). Dementia is memory loss that affects the ability to perform everyday tasks. VaD affects approximately 1.8 million Americans. It is the send leading cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and acunts for up to 20 percent of the dementia cases in the United States, making the ndition a significant and growing health care ncern. VaD is caused by a single, localized stroke or series of strokes. A stroke can cause damage to the To help understandthe differences between AD and VoD, here are a few AD important facts: Patients typically experience a gradual onset andwill have a gradual, progressive decline. Patients experience memoryloss, such as misplacing items, getting lost in familiar places or trouble following nversations. If you or a loved one experience any of the symptomslisted below, you should talk to your doctor. VaDRisk Factors Priorhistoryof stroke(s) Diabetes High blood pressure Smoking Obesity High cholesterol Heart disease Age Symptoms of VaD Memoryloss Confusion Difficulty paying attention/following nversation Impaired motorskills Difficulty planning and organizing tasks Visualorientation problems Difficulty with calculations, making decisions Impaired executive function (such as problem solving, judgment) Behavior changes, such as mood swings, irritability, decreased motivation and depression @ brain tissue. In VaD patients, the damaged brain cells can not process information. Depending on location, this can lead to nfusion, memory loss and problems with activities of daily living (using the phone, handling money and doing household chores). “Many VaD patients are undiagnosed,” said Dr. Stephen Salloway, Director of Neurology and The Memory Disorders Program, VaD Associate Professor of Clinical Patients experience impairmentin “Patients who have had a stroke have mplex medical problems, and physicians often focus on treating the underlying nditions rather than memoryloss or behavorial symptoms of VaD. Increased awareness of VaD signs, symptoms andrisk factors will hopefully result in better medical care for VaD patients.” Patients will typically experience abrupt onset of dementia—usuallywithin three monthsof having a stroke—followed by a stepwise gnitive decline, if other strokes occur. executive function, such as making decisions or judgments or solving problems. Memory can also be affected in VaD. Neurosciences at Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island. Currently, no medications are approved to treat VaD. Existing treatment strategies focus on preventing stroke or reducing the risk of additional strokes. Those at risk of stroke can take appropriate steps to ntrol the associated nditions to help prevent VaD from developing, such as reducing high blood pressure or cholesterol, ntrolling diabetes or losing weight. However, new developments in VaD therapy may be on the horizon. Medications are being studied for the treatment of VaD. Research has shown that patients with VaD may benefit from treatment with these medications. For more information about how to identify if you are at risk for VaD, ntact the National Stroke Association at 1-800STROKES or visit www.stroke.org.

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