Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are common types of dementia symptoms that can affect behaviour, cognitive function, and abilities to perform daily tasks.
Alzheimer’s diseases happen due to the formation of amyloid plaques and tangles of fibres in the brain. These changes will impact memory and the ability to think and perform everyday activities. In contrast, vascular dementia occurs because of damage to the blood cells and can impact brain function. This medical condition can also affect behaviour, thinking ability, and memory power.
Multiple Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and vascular dementia signs overlap, along with their risk factors. It’s possible that people can have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, which is referred to as mixed dementia.
Alzheimer’s diseases happen due to the formation of amyloid plaques and tangles of fibres in the brain. Now, let’s drive deep into what is the difference between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults, especially among people aged 65 years or above. From affecting their thinking ability to memory and performing daily chores, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease happen due to changes in the brain function. A buildup of proteins forms plaques (termed amyloid plaques) and tangles of fibres (referred to as tau tangles). Neurons (that help send messages between areas of the brain) stop working correctly and cannot connect with other neurons.
Its basic symptoms can occur at any stage, starting as mild and gradually worsening over time. From difficulty finding words to memory problems, changes in personality to getting confused, impulsive behaviour and asking repeated questions, people with Alzheimer’s will need extra care during the later stages of the disease.
What Is Vascular Dementia?
Vascular dementia is a common term for any changes in cognition or brain function that happen from blood vessel damage in the brain. This serious condition can impact behaviour, memory, and thinking abilities. Such a medical condition primarily occurs after a stroke, which results from a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain and can damage the blood vessels in the brain.
The basic symptoms of vascular dementia are misplacing items, inability to find routes, difficulty performing daily tasks or following instructions and loss of interest in people or hobbies. Vascular dementia can also lead to hallucinations or an inability to perceive danger.
What Are The Differences Between Alzheimer’s And Vascular Dementia?
The following are the major differences between the two types of dementia:
- Cause
The main difference between Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia is their cause. Alzheimer’s has no single known cause but is linked to genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. In contrast, vascular dementia results from restricted blood flow to the brain, damaging blood vessels and leading to brain cell death. Causes include strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and obesity, all of which impact blood circulation and brain health.
- Symptoms
Both conditions affect cognitive abilities, but vascular dementia symptoms often appear more suddenly. Alzheimer’s usually begins with cognitive decline before physical symptoms like balance issues emerge later. In contrast, vascular dementia patients may experience coordination difficulties and trouble walking early on, mainly if caused by a stroke or brain injury, which can immediately impact physical function.
- Progression
Alzheimer’s progresses gradually, with mild cognitive impairment worsening over the years. Changes may be subtle day-to-day. Vascular dementia, however, often follows a ‘stepping’ pattern, with sudden cognitive declines followed by stable periods. The progression speed varies, but Alzheimer’s tends to be a slow, continuous decline, whereas vascular dementia may have abrupt changes depending on further vascular damage.
- Diagnosis
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s can be complex because symptoms resemble other conditions, and early signs may mimic the ageing. Doctors use tests to rule out other causes. Vascular dementia is often easier to diagnose since brain damage is more visible on MRI scans. However, both conditions require cognitive, memory, and communication tests to assess the extent of impairment.
- Outlook
Predicting life expectancy for dementia patients is challenging. On average, Alzheimer’s patients live around eight years as the disease slowly progresses. Vascular dementia is more complicated to predict because it depends on the severity and location of brain damage. Continued strokes or other blood flow issues can worsen the condition and significantly impact life expectancy.
- Treatment
Treatment approaches differ. Vascular dementia care may be managed with medications to slow progression and address underlying causes, such as aspirin for stroke prevention. Lifestyle changes, including a low-salt diet and exercise, can also help. Alzheimer’s is managed with medications like memantine, but later stages may require psychiatric support for symptoms like agitation and hallucinations.
- Prevention
Reducing dementia risk involves lifestyle changes that promote brain and heart health. Regular exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, while lifelong learning keeps the mind active. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and preventing head injuries also lower risk. A balanced diet, quality sleep, stress management, and social engagement further support cognitive function and overall well-being.
Final Thoughts
Vascular dementia results from blood vessel damage, while Alzheimer’s disease develops due to plaques and tangles in the brain. Memory loss is a key symptom of Alzheimer’s but may also occur in vascular dementia. Treatments can help slow cognitive decline in both conditions. Managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and lifestyle choices may help prevent further brain damage.
So, if you are looking for a dementia care home in Sutton, contact Aria Care today to learn more about our professional care home services!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease occur together?
Yes, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease occur together, a condition known as mixed dementia.
- What are the common symptoms of vascular dementia?
Basic symptoms of vascular dementia include confusion, impaired judgment, difficulty speaking, trouble walking, and sudden cognitive decline.
- How do Alzheimer’s disease symptoms differ from vascular dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease majorly starts with gradual memory loss, while vascular dementia often has sudden cognitive changes due to blood flow problems.
- What causes vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia can result due to reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes.
- What risk factors are common for both conditions?
High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, heart disease, and an unhealthy lifestyle increase the risk of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- How are vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosed?
Diagnosis of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease involves medical history, cognitive tests, brain scans (MRI, CT, PET), and ruling out other conditions.
- What treatments are available for vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Popular treatments for vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are medication to manage symptoms, lifestyle changes, and therapy to slow cognitive decline.
- What is the cost of diagnostic testing for Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia?
The cost of diagnostic testing for Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia depends on various factors, including location, type of tests, and healthcare provider.
