The Neurological Institute is an established Charlotte, NC, health care center that places emphasis on improving neuroscience knowledge and quality of patient care. Core focuses at The Neurological Institute include assisting patients with dementia through a dedicated staff that includes neurologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and therapists.
One of the most common types of the progressive condition is vascular dementia, which occurs when the ability of the vascular system to deliver blood to areas deep in the brain is impacted. Strokes are often associated with this form of dementia, with blood supply being abruptly cut off to the affected part of the brain through blockage caused by a clot. The clot may form in the brain or may have formed in the heart, if cardiovascular disease is present. Transported up to the brain, it can get lodged in a narrow vessel and cut off blood supply.
Approximately 20 percent of people who experience major strokes also experience post-stroke dementia within six months. This results from damage to the brain tissue caused by interruption of oxygen flow.
In addition, there are cases of multi-infarct and single-infarct dementia that tie in to smaller strokes. Because the blood vessel affected may be very small, the patient may not be aware of symptoms. Alternatively, the blockage can clear itself within a matter of minutes, in which case it’s known as an ischemic attack. Deprived of blood for even a few minutes, tissue in localized parts of the brain will die. In cases where an important part of the brain is impacted by temporary infarct, dementia can occur.
