DX of Vascular Dementia?

[brain2005]

Hello: In September 2005 I suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke. I underwent two brain surgeries: one to clip two ruptured aneurysms and one to install a permanent shunt to remove blood and cerebro-spinal fluid from my intracranial cavity. While I have experienced some recovery in some areas, MY SHORT-TERM MEMORY and sequencing abilities are severely diminished.

I have been recently tested for Vascular Dementia by neuropsychologists at the local Medial Center (UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA). The results have not yet been provided to me; however, I expect to receive a DX at the end of the month.

What options (pharmaceutical or otherwise) are normally employed to treat vascular dementia? Thank You So Much! I feel that my memory is growing steadily worse and am quite worried. Any information will be appreciated.

BRAIN2005

[tessie123]

Again, there is much study on the link between stroke and early onset of dementia and alzheimers.  It's important to understand the basics of why this can occur in the brain after stroke.

There are some references to this on the hypermed.com.au website
Here are some excerpts:


".....Oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) due to lack of adequate blood flow (ischemia) triggers apoptosis....

......Hypoxia creates a ‘weakened site’. Healing responses slow with inadequate and inferior material laid in the damaged region.....

Apoptosis (programmed cellular degeneration) drives the cycle of continuing neurovascular degeneration with a greater incidence of further injury and insult....."

The hidden cell damage may be irreversible, even though outwardly a stroke victim may have rehabilitated physically.

"....Approximately 20-30% of the body's consumption of Oxygen occurs within 3-5% of the body mass - the brain and spinal cord. These structures are extremely sensitive to Oxygen deficiency, and can have the most dramatic results with the use of HBOT. This increased tissue Oxygenation significantly accelerates the rate of healing, stabilization and repair....."

[vega1318]

it's uncertain why you have the diagnosis of vascular dementia based on what you'd mentioned:  a bleed and increased pressure in your brain?   you may have memory problems from both of these problems independent of vascular dementia.   Vascular dementia, by definition, is probably due to minor strokes that occur in the brain -- therefore, treatment is prevention of stroke and treatment of risk factors.   you may also have a condition, such as amyloid angiopathy which predisposes you to strokes and bleeds - make sure it is clearly explained to you.   either way, cognitive therapy may help.  

[tessie123]

The only therapy I have researched in relation to stroke that may also assist with vascular dementia is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
This treatment has been used safely and in many countries for many years

Do a few searches for the terms online and you'll see numerous case studies

After researching HBOT I personally believe that you should be prepared to complete a minimum of 50 - 150 sessions

There is some good reading at www.hypermed.com.au
see the clinical reading link

Please note that there is appears to be great hesitancy on the part of physicians to recommend this therapy. Without getting into conspiracy theories here :)

Do your own due diligence on the treatment and the case studies
In the end you are in control of your own health