Multi-Infarct Dementia Symptoms

The signs of aging--forgetfulness and behavior changes--may not be normal signs of aging. Everyone forgets from time to time. It is the degree and frequency that must be taken into account when determining if this is normal forgetfulness or something else. As we age, we are often medicated for conditions we did not have when we were young--heart problems, lung problems and arthritis. Taking medications that aren't necessary or in too high quantities could be the problem. A poor diet could be the underlying cause. Lack of sleep, too, can cause forgetfulness, mood swings and behavior changes. But, if these other factors can be eliminated, the cause could be something more serious. It could be dementia, caused by damage to the brain cells, thereby altering the way in the which the brain functions. In older adults, the most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Vascular dementia is the second-most common form of dementia. Among vascular dementia sufferers, multi-infarct dementia is most common. Typically, multi-infarct dementia affects more men than women and symptoms begin to show between the ages of 60 and 75.

Causes of Multi-Infarct Dementia

• Multi-infarct dementia can develop from multiple strokes. In a stroke, blood flow is cut off to the brain, causing oxygen deprivation and damage to brain tissue. Blood clots or plaque can cause a blockage, leading to a stroke. A stroke can also occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Strokes can occur without noticeable affects, meaning you could have a stroke and never know it. These sort of strokes are called "silent strokes" or ministrokes. The key is to understand the causes of strokes and know if you are at risk. Strokes can be caused by multiple factors, including untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms of Multi-Infarct Dementia

• Because the damage from individual silent strokes may be slight, the symptoms tend to appear only after enough damage has accumulated, meaning the signs of dementia will appear suddenly. As the brain damage worsens, the symptoms worsen, usually progressing in steps. With MID you may feel confused or have difficulty in remembering recent events. Familiar places may no longer seem familiar, causing you to wander, feeling lost. Your normal gait may be affected, causing you to shuffle rapidly. Loss of bladder or bowel control may also occur. Simple daily matters, such as counting out money or calculating the right amount of change, may become more difficult. You may find yourself crying or laughing at inappropriate moments, although your basic personality remains the same--something which is lost over time with Alzheimer's. And following instructions or directions may become overly difficult.

Diagnosis

• Typically, a doctor will question the patient about his lifestyle and any recent, stress-inducing events as part of his diagnosis. If the patient has a history of strokes or high blood pressure, the doctor will likely order a CT (computerized tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test to look at the brain in sections. These tests allow the doctor to find tumors, signs of stroke damage, or other causes of brain injury. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia can have similar appearances, making a diagnosis difficult. Moreover, patients can suffer from both conditions.

Treatment

• Unfortunately, there is no current method to reverse brain damage. However, once the condition is diagnosed, treatment can focus on preventing further strokes, therefore preventing further damage. As with many conditions that affect us as we age, the best "treatment" is to take preventative measures in our youth--meaning maintain a healthy lifestyle (e.g., exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy body weight, manage stress, don't smoke and if you drink, drink alcohol moderately.) For the patient diagnosed with MID, the doctor will treat those conditions causing the strokes (high blood pressure or heart disease, etc.).

Living with Multi-Infarct Dementia

• To help cope with the ordeals of MID, patients should develop daily routines. The brain needs to be "exercised" to reinforce memories and develop new pathways. MID patients should become involved in social activities and take up hobbies and learn new things. Such activities are believed to create new pathways in the brain. Write lists and checklists; keep calendars to mark appointments, events and important dates. Use alarm clocks to remind you when to take your medications--or to remind you of other time-critical events in the day. If necessary, seek help from nurses or therapists or your family. You might also find a support group with help from your doctor.