Vascular Dementia Flashcards
What is vascular dementia?
A progressive loss of brain function caused by long term poor blood flow to the brain
What is the main cause of vascular dementia?
A series of mini strokes caused by atherosclerosis
What does the frontal lobe of the brain do?
Personality Movement Spelling Counting Decision making Speech
What does the parietal part of the brain do?
Processes sensory information
Movement in 3D spaces
What does the temporal part of the brain do?
Hearing
Smell
Memory
Recognition of faces
Which part of the brain controls memory?
Hippocampus
What does the occipital part of the brain do?
Processes visual information
What is dementia as a whole?
A persistent loss of mental function which is severe enough to affect a persons daily functioning
When do the symptoms appear?
They appear very suddenly and there is a step wise progression.
It shortens life expectancy.
What is the second most common cause of dementia?
Vascular dementia
What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?
They are often disproportionate and some areas can be affected much more than others
slowness of thought
difficulty with planning and understanding
problems with concentration
mood, personality or behavioural changes
feeling disoriented and confused
difficulty walking and keeping balance
symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as problems with memory and language (many people with vascular dementia also have Alzheimer’s)
What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?
slowness of thought
difficulty planning and understanding
problems with concentration
changes to your mood, personality or behaviour
feeling disoriented and confused
difficulty walking and keeping balance
symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as problems with memory and language (many people with vascular dementia also have Alzheimer’s disease)
What is the treatment for vascular dementia?
Reduce risk factors of atherosclerosis: Lower cholesterol Stop smoking Healthy diet Anticoagulants Treat hypertension
What investigation can diagnose vascular dementia?
CT or MRI - shows infarcts or atrophy confirming ischaemia
What are signs of frontotemporal dementia?
Behavior and/or dramatic personality changes, such as swearing, stealing, increased interest in sex, or a deterioration in personal hygiene habits.
Socially inappropriate, impulsive, or repetitive behaviors.
Impaired judgment.
Apathy.
Lack of empathy.
Decreased self awareness.
