Multi-infarct dementia
Symptoms:
- awareness of mental deterioration, initially
- dementia, slowly progressive
- withdrawal from social interaction
- inability to interact in social or personal situations
- inability to maintain employment
- decreased ability to function independently
- decreased interest in daily living activities
- lack of spontaneity
- loss of movement or sensation
- may be on only one side or one area of the body
- sudden involuntary laughing or crying
- emotional instability, frequent changes of emotion
- urinary incontinence
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and tests:
The disorder is diagnosed based on history, symptoms, signs, and tests, and by ruling out other causes of dementia, including dementia due to metabolic causes. History may include a history of stroke or hypertension. History of the dementia often shows stepwise progression of the condition: periods of abrupt decline alternating with "plateau" periods of minimal decline. Other characteristics that suggest multi-infarct dementia include: abrupt onset, somatic (physical) complaints, emotional changes, and focal (localized) neurologic signs and symptoms (modified Hachinski ischemia scale).
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A neurologic examination shows variable deficits depending on the extent and location of damage. There may be multiple, focal neurologic deficits (localized areas with specific loss of function). Weakness or loss of function may occur on one side or only in one area. Abnormal reflexes may be present. There may be signs of cerebellar dysfunction such as loss of coordination.
A head CT scan, skull X-ray, or MRI of head may show changes that indicate multi-infarct dementia.
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