Stroke

• dementia from stroke = multi-infarct dementia = vascular dementia (next most common cause of dementia --> "extensive small strokes", problem with blood supply to brain) (Remembering Well, p.52)

A stroke occurs when any part of the brain's blood supply is blocked. Our brain cells need oxygen and a nutrient called glucose, to maintiain energy. These two nuttrients are supplied by red blood cells. If a cell is deprived of oxygen or glucose for even a short length of time, it will die and will not be replaced (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999. p. 84). The effect of the stroke depends on where the blood supply is cut off. A leg may become paralyzed if its control center in the brain is destroyed. Many other impairments are possible, including those of memory, speech, or vision.

There are three different kinds of stroke: (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999, p. 83 - 84)

• cerebral thrombosis - a blood clot (thrombus) blocks one of the brain's blood vessels
• cerebral hemorrhage - a blood vessel's wall breaks, spilling blood into the brian and clots
• cerebral embolism - a clot moves from somewhere else in the body and settle in an artery in the brain, blocking the blood supply

Multi-infarct dementia, also called vascular dementia, is the result of many small strokes in the brain. Its progression can sometimes be stopped by lowering the blood pressure through drugs or diet. (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999. p. 85)

Pick's disease is much like Alzheimer's disease. It is also incurable and fatal. It is very rare. (Kurland and Lupoff, 1999. p. 85)

Treatment

Nimodipine is one drug used to treat memory loss for stroke survivors. (Yount, p. 61)

Multi-infarct Dementia

Multi-infarct dementia is a subclass of vascular dementia.

Infarct refers to tissue damage following cessation of bloodflow, as after a stroke. Sometimes, a stroke can be small and temporary; blood flow is weakened or blocked only for a brief period of time. In this case, the stroke is called a transient ischemic attack or TIA. The symptoms (such as dizziness, blurred vision or mild weakness in an arm or leg) may only last a few hours and appear to clear up on their own. Many individuals do not seek medical treatment, and may not even realize they have had a small stroke. In many cases, there is no lasting brain or neurological damage. However, a series of repeated small strokes can cause accumulated damage to the brain. Over time, they can cause widespread disruption and dementia.


http://www.memory.rutgers.edu/newsletter/glossary/multiinfarctdementia.html