Neurological Manifestations of Vascular Dementia Follow-up

  • Author: Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA; Chief Editor: Michael Hoffmann, MBBCh, MD, FCP(SA), FAAN, FAHA   more...
 
Updated: Apr 10, 2012
 

Prognosis

The rate of progression of cognitive impairment in vascular dementia is variable; some patients progress at a slower rate than patients with Alzheimer disease. The mortality rate, however, is higher in patients with vascular dementia than in patients with Alzheimer disease, with 50% of patients with vascular dementia not living longer than 4 years.

While waiting for effective drug therapies and first-level evidence data, healthcare professionals should be encouraged to improve early diagnosis of cognitive impairment and activate control strategies against vascular disease and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

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Patient Education

  • Once the diagnosis of dementia is established, patients and patients' families should be educated about the nature of the condition with great sensitivity. The clinician should balance his or her explanation to avoid provoking negative reactions from the patient or the family.
  • Potentially dangerous activities (eg, driving) should be discussed; provide advice regarding possible interventions (eg, driving evaluation).
  • The patient should be advised about electing a power of attorney in case the patient becomes incapacitated.
  • Caregivers require support as well. Provide contact information to caregivers for the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, which organizes support groups for caregivers of individuals with dementia.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Dementia Center and Stroke Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Dementia Overview, Dementia Medication Overview, Alzheimer Disease, Stroke, and Stroke-Related Dementia.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA  Chief of Neurology, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital; Associate Professor and Director, Neurology Residency Training Program, Loyola University Medical Center

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jaime Grutzendler, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Physiology, Northwestern University School of Medicine

Jaime Grutzendler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Giovanni d'Avossa  MD, Lecturer, School of Psychology, Bangor University; NHS Honorary Consultant in Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Fredy J Revilla, MD  Assistant Professor of Neurology, Head of Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Fredy J Revilla, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and Movement Disorders Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Christopher Luzzio, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

Christopher Luzzio, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Jorge C Kattah, MD  Head, Associate Program Director, Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

Jorge C Kattah, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Biogen Honoraria Consulting; Bayer Corporation Honoraria Consulting

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Chief Editor

Michael Hoffmann, MBBCh, MD, FCP(SA), FAAN, FAHA  Professor of Neurology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine; Director of Cognitive Neurology, Director of Stroke Program, James A Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital

Michael Hoffmann, MBBCh, MD, FCP(SA), FAAN, FAHA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society, American Heart Association, and American Society of Neuroimaging

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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