Multi-infarct dementia (MID) is a form of dementia caused by a series of small strokes.
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.
Alternative Names
MID; Dementia - vascular; Dementia - poststroke
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Multi-infarct dementia (MID) is the second most common cause of dementia (after Alzheimer disease) in people over age 65. MID affects men more often than women. The disorder usually affects people between ages 55 and 75.
MID is caused by a series of small strokes.
A stroke is an interruption in or blockage of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called an infarct. Multi-infarct means that many areas in the brain have been injured due to a lack of blood.
If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.
When these strokes affect a small area, there may be no symptoms of a stroke. These are often called silent strokes. Over time, as more areas of the brain are damaged, the symptoms of MID begin to appear.
Not all strokes are silent. Larger strokes that affect strength, sensation, or other brain and nervous system (neurologic) function can also lead to MID.
Symptoms of dementia may be caused by either Alzheimer disease or MID. The symptoms of both conditions are very similar. MID may be a risk factor for Alzheimer disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms may develop gradually or may progress after each small stroke.
The symptoms of the disorder may begin suddenly after each stroke. Some people with MID may appear to improve for short periods of time, then decline after having more silent strokes.
The early symptoms of dementia can include:
Difficulty performing tasks that used to come easily, such as balancing a checkbook, playing games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines
Getting lost on familiar routes
Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects
Losing interest in things you previously enjoyed, flat mood
Misplacing items
Personality changes and loss of social skills
As the dementia becomes worse, symptoms are more obvious and interfere with the ability to take care of yourself. The symptoms may include:
Change in sleep patterns, often waking up at night
Difficulty doing basic tasks, such as preparing meals, choosing proper clothing, or driving
Forgetting details about current events
Forgetting events in your own life history, losing awareness of who you are
Having delusions, depression, or agitation
Having hallucinations, arguments, striking out, or violent behavior
Having more difficulty reading or writing
Having poor judgment and loss of ability to recognize danger
Using the wrong word, not pronouncing words correctly, or speaking in confusing sentences
Withdrawing from social contact
Any of the neurologic problems that occur with a stroke may also be present.
Signs and tests
Tests may be ordered to help determine whether other medical problems could be causing dementia or making it worse, such as:
There is no treatment to turn back damage to the brain caused by small strokes.
An important goal is to control symptoms and correct risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol to prevent future strokes.
Avoid fatty foods. Follow a healthy, low-fat diet.
Do not drink more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks a day.
Keep blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm/Hg. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure.
Keep LDL "bad" cholesterol lower than 70 mg/dL.
Quit smoking.
The doctor may suggest aspirin or another medicine called clopidogrel (Plavix) to help prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries. These medicines are called antiplatelet drugs. Do not take or give aspirin without talking to the doctor first.
The goals of helping someone with dementia in the home environment are to:
Manage behavior problems, confusion, sleep problems, and agitation
Remove safety hazards in the home
Support family members and other caregivers
Medicines may be needed to control aggressive, agitated, or dangerous behaviors. The health care provider will usually prescribe these medicines in very low doses and adjust the dose as needed.
Medicines used to treat Alzheimer disease have not been shown to work for MID.
Hearing aids, glasses, or cataract surgery may be needed if the person has problems involving these senses.
Expectations (prognosis)
Some improvement may occur for short periods of time, but the disorder will generally get worse over time.
Call the health care provider if symptoms of multi-infarct dementia occur. Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if there is a sudden change in mental status. This is an emergency symptom of stroke.
Prevention
Control conditions that increase the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) by:
Moorhouse PA, Rockwood K. Vascular cognitive impairment. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Woodhouse K, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA; 2010:chap 55.
Review Date:
2/27/2013
Reviewed By:
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles and Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
