Alzheimer's Society factsheet 458 by Alzheimer's Society

Author:Alzheimer's Society
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alzheimer's Society
Published: 2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Vascular dementia

In vascular dementia, which is commonly caused by a stroke or a series of small strokes, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and die. This can occur in distinct parts of the brain, leaving other areas relatively unaffected. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether people have Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. It is also not unusual to have a mixed form.

Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia may progress in a ‘stepped’ manner. Symptoms may suddenly worsen due to stroke and then remain the same for some time. Months or years later, if another stroke occurs, symptoms may worsen again. However, when vascular dementia has been caused by several smaller strokes, a more gradual progression of symptoms is likely to be experienced. Importantly, if the person does not experience any additional strokes their symptoms may not worsen over time.

People with vascular dementia tend to maintain their personality and more normal levels of emotional responsiveness until the later stages of the disease. This sometimes means that people with vascular dementia are more aware of their condition and more prone to depression than people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Each person will experience dementia differently. On average, people with vascular dementia live for around five years after symptoms begin. In many cases, the person’s death will be caused by a stroke or heart attack.

For more information, see our factsheet What is vascular dementia? (402).

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