Vascular dementia | Alzheimer's Society

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Treatment and support for vascular dementia

There is currently no cure for vascular dementia. However, a range of treatments and support are available to help someone with a diagnosis to live well with the condition.

Diagnosing vascular dementia

A diagnosis of vascular dementia usually starts with a conversation with a GP. There is no single test for vascular dementia, and a diagnosis may be based on a combination of things.

Who gets vascular dementia?

There are many things that increase a person’s chances of developing vascular dementia. These are called ‘risk factors’. It is possible to avoid some risk factors, while others cannot be controlled.

Symptoms of vascular dementia

Some vascular dementia symptoms can be similar to those of other types of dementia, such as problems with memory and thinking, and changes in mood or behaviour. However, symptoms of vascular dementia may appear in different ways.

Types of vascular dementia

There are several different types of vascular dementia. The most common is subcortical vascular dementia, and other types can be caused by a stroke or smaller kinds of stroke.

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia (after Alzheimer's disease). Everyone experiences it differently. Symptoms vary depending on the person, the cause and the areas of the brain that are affected.