Vascular Dementia

Vascular Dementia

Diabetes of the Brain
As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders is 
on the rise. Vascular Dementia is one such disorder. Vascular dementia is the second 
most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, accounting for 
approximately 15% of all dementia cases. A complex and multifaceted cognitive 
impairment disorder that is closely linked to cardiovascular health, Vascular Dementia is 
symptomatically similar to Alzheimer’s Disease, but differs in the fact that it is primarily a 
result of damage to the blood vessels in the brain that affect brain function, resulting in 
symptoms that affect thinking, behaviour, and memory.

The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Vascular 
Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease occurs through the formation of amyloid plaques and tangles of fibres in  the brain. These changes affect memory, thinking, and the ability to carry out everyday activities. Vascular Dementia is thought to be primarily characterised by reduced blood flow to the brain, often as a result of larger cardiometabolic issues, which leads to reduced oxygen supply and nutrient delivery. Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or have suffered a stroke are around twice as likely to develop vascular dementia.  Vascular brain changes often coexist with changes linked to other types of dementia, which can result in the diagnosis of mixed dementia.

Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia shares many of the cardiovascular risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, 
including:
• heart disease
• stroke
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
These factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, leading to reduced blood flow. Ruptures can trigger small strokes (TIAs) or microinfarctions, resulting in cumulative brain damage over time.  Vascular dementia is also linked to sleep apnoea, which can cause small blood clots to form in the brain that often go unnoticed. These tiny clots greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure,stroke, heart attacks and vascular dementia. Because of this, sleep apnoea is a serious condition and anyone who may have it should contact their GP for advice. Symptoms that are suggestive of sleep apnoea include sleepiness during the day, snoring or changes in breathing through the night.

Important lifestyle factors to consider relating to vascular risk include: 
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Too much alcohol
Symptoms of Vascular Dementia
Early symptoms of vascular dementia may include:
• confusion
• impaired judgment
• Difficulty with planning and organisation
• difficulty speaking
• physical symptoms of a stroke, such as paralysis or numbness, particularly on one side of 
the body
• Mood swings
• Gait disturbances and problems with balance

Depending on where damage occurs, memory loss may or may not be a key symptom of vascular dementia.

The Bredesen Protocol
As our understanding of dementia deepens, innovative approaches are emerging to address its prevention and even potential reversal. Among these pioneering strategies, the Bredesen Protocol has gained significant attention for its comprehensive and personalised approach to tackling Alzheimer's disease, and can have many positive impacts on those with vascular dementia.

Dietary Approaches for Vascular Dementia
A low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory and low-grain diet may be beneficial for those with vascular dementia, as recommended in the Bredesen Protocol. Gluten and processed food should be eliminated, intake of vegetables, fruits, wild fish, grass-fed beef and organic chicken increased. Simple carbohydrates should also be limited to minimise inflammation and reduce insulin resistance.

Testing for Vascular Dementia
Colabs has several tests that are useful in the treatment and management of Vascular dementia. NeuroQuant and Neuroreader are both software tools that assist in the analysis and quantification of brain imaging data, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These tools are designed to accurately assess and measure various brain structures and volumes, and compare them to age-matched standards in healthy subjects. These tests can play a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment in neurodegenerative conditions.

1. NeuroQuant for Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia can lead to brain damage and atrophy due to reduced blood flow. NeuroQuant can help identify regions of the brain that may have experienced atrophy or changes in volume. Monitoring of structural changes can help confirm the efficacy of interventions and assess the speed of progress. The software compares the obtained measurements with a normative database, enabling healthcare professionals to identify potential deviations from a normal range for a given patient's age and sex, which can be particularly helpful in the diagnosis and early stages of vascular dementia.
2. Neuroreader
Neuroreader is another advanced software tool that assists in the analysis of brain MRI scans. It is primarily focused on providing quantitative information related to perfusion and diffusion imaging. These imaging techniques provide insights into blood flow (perfusion) and the movement of water molecules within brain tissue (diffusion), offering valuable information about brain function and tissue integrity. Neuroreader's capabilities include perfusion analysis for evaluating blood flow patterns, which can be crucial in assessing conditions such as vascular dementia.
3. The Bredesen Panels
Colabs offers the Bredesen panels for PreCode and ReCode to support the assessment of dementia.
4. Prodrome Scan
The Prodrome Scan blood test covers a range of body systems that can also be used to consider vascular health.
5. Cardiometabolic markers
Colabs offer a range of cardio-metabolic tests to support vascular assessment.  As always, we’re happy to help you choose the best test to suit the needs of your patients. 
Please email us to arrange a free support call