Common understanding of dementia is mostly based on the Alzheimer's disease model.
However, in subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD), several other cognitive and behavioral
dysfunctions predominate over what is commonly noticed in Alzheimer's disease. There
are inconsistencies in literature regarding the profile of cognitive impairments in
vascular dementia. Objective: In the current study, different cognitive functions pertaining to different lobes
of the brain along with neuropsychiatric symptoms we explored in a holistic manner.
Materials and Methods: A sample of 12 patients diagnosed with SVaD without any comorbidity were recruited
for the study. All the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning
and different standardized neuropsychological tests were administered. Results: Patients reported various neuropsychiatric symptoms with varied severity, mostly
falling in moderate range, reflecting organic personality change. Most of the cognitive
functions pertaining to different lobes of the brain were impaired with parietal lobe
being intact mostly. Comparison of MRI findings and neuropsychological findings revealed
that there is involvement of cortical functions with the impairment in subcortical
structure. Conclusion: These findings emphasis need to look beyond clinical diagnosis and MRI findings for
better rehabilitation of the patients by including cognitive dysfunction as well as
emotional disturbances prominent in SVaD which might me quite distressing for caretakers.
Key-words:
Magnetic resonance imaging - neuropsychological functioning - sub-cortical vascular
dementia
