Vascular dementia (VaD), the second most prevalent dementia type after Alzheimer’s disease (AD), predominantly affects individuals over 65 years old and arises from cerebrovascular or cardiovascular conditions. Recent findings suggest that vascular-related cognitive decline, either independently or combined with neurodegenerative disorders, occurs more frequently than previously thought. VaD encompasses multiple subtypes, including subcortical vascular dementia, CADASIL (a genetic vascular condition), and stroke-related dementia, each presenting unique pathologies and clinical manifestations. Mixed dementia, combining AD and vascular pathologies, is now recognized as a significant contributor to dementia cases, particularly in aging populations.

Diagnosis and treatment of VaD remain challenging, with neuroimaging, biomarkers, and cognitive assessments like the MoCA playing key roles in identifying the condition. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and lipid imbalances highlight the importance of lifestyle modifications and cardiovascular risk management for prevention. While pharmacological options like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors offer limited cognitive benefits, there is no definitive cure for VaD. Future research aims to refine diagnostic criteria, discover new biomarkers, and improve treatment approaches to manage symptoms and slow disease progression effectively.

Reference: Prajjwal P, Marsool MDM, Inban P, et al. Vascular dementia subtypes, pathophysiology, genetics, neuroimaging, biomarkers, and treatment updates along with its association with Alzheimer’s dementia and diabetes mellitus. Dis Mon. 2023 May;69(5):101557. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2023.101557. Epub 2023 Apr 6. PMID: 37031059.