Jean

what is the lay meaning of "Microangiopathic ischemic gliosis"?

[hdink2]

what is the definition of "Microangiopathic ischemic gliosis"?

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

I am assuming that this is a finding on MRI. It basically means an area of the brain that has experienced small vessel ischemia (lack of blood) with resulting gliosis (a proliferation of certain nerve cells) as a response to the ischemic injury.

Hope this helps.

[hdink2]

Thank you for your response. Who this indicate either Alzheimers or Vascular Dementia?  

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Not necessarily. This is a nonspecific sign and can by caused by a lot of conditions, not just Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Any condition that leads to some form of brain ischemia can possibly be associated with this sign.

Hope this answers your query.

[hdink2]

This is a finding from my 82 year old husbands MRI. He has been diagnosed with moderate dementia. He doesn't remember us being married for 28 years and has other symptoms indicating memory problems. He is still able to do quite abit for himself. I'm just trying to find some explanation for what is happening to him. I appreciate the information that you are providing me.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

I am very sorry to hear that your husband is suffering from dementia. I do hope that his condition would improve.

Dementia can exist in many conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal demential, and secondary dementias (also known as "reversible dementias" because the cognitive impairment resolves with treatment of the primary disorder). MRI may be helpful in some of these conditions but, most of the time, the diagnosis is a clinical one, and is mostly based on symptomatology and medical history. It would be advisable to sit down and talk to your neurologist about his condition to determine the prognosis as well as how to cope with the disease.

Good luck.