Abstract:
Introduction. Vascular dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder that occurs due to
cerebrovascular disease and hypoperfusion. This can range from large vessel stroke to
microvascular disease. The symptoms and presentation can be heterogeneous, depending on the
extent of vascular lesions and the anatomical location. Lesions can be limited to a single site,
multifocal, or diffusely distributed.
Aim of study. Updated information was analyzed to quantify the impact and importance of the
risk factors of vascular dementia in order to demonstrate their influence in the prevention and
management of the patients with vascular dementia.
Methods and materials. A synthesis analysis of international publications and specialized
literature was performed using PubMed, Google Academic, Medline, ResearchGATE network,
databases published during 2016-2022. With the usage of keywords dementia, vascular dementia,
risk factors, stroke, hypertension.
Results. Through this study, it was highlighted that vascular dementia can be caused by small vessel disease or by large-artery atherosclerosis with vascular lesions in strategic areas of the
brain.In both cases changes in white matter are observed. Vascular factors like hypertension,
stroke, diabetes, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis may increase the
risk for vascular dementia by promoting inflammation, cerebral vascular disease, white matter
lesions, and hippocampal sclerosis. It has been shown that depression, mutations in the APOE
gene, use of saturated fatty acids, urban living, and lack of exercise were associated with
independent risk of vascular dementia. Of biochemical risk factors, hyperhomocysteinemia
(associated with low levels of folic acid and vitamin B 12), hyperlipidemia and low HDL
cholesterol levels were found in both forms of vascular dementia. Some researches have argued
that advanced age-the strongest risk factor for brain degeneration, male sex, smoking ,sleep apnea
syndrome, pre-eclampsia history and migraine also increase the risk of developing vascular
dementia.
Conclusion. Analyzing data from medical literature, I can conclude that reducing these two major,
but modifiable risk factors-hypertension and stroke-could be a successful strategy for reducing the
public health burden of cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. Lifestyle measures that
maintain or improve vascular health including consumption of healthy diets, moderate use of
alcohol and implementing regular physical exercise in general appear effective for reducing
vascular dementia risk.
