The Onset and Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

8. Diagnosis

There is no single test for vascular dementia. The doctor will ask about current symptoms and how they are affecting a person’s life, and take a medical history that includes high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Family members and caregivers can often provide helpful details as people with vascular dementia may not have insight into their symptoms. Assessments may include the evaluation of abilities such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and medication management. The doctor may also test mental ability. Blood tests may help rule out other conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms. A person suspected of having vascular dementia will usually need a CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which can help the physician diagnose the type of vascular dementia and the extent of the changes in the brain. Doctors must also rule out other conditions that share the same symptoms, such as depression, thyroid disease, some medications, alcohol abuse, and infectious causes.