Vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia: Diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention

Abstract

The paper considers the concept of vascular cognitive impairment (CI), no dementia, their epidemiology, risk markers and pathological basis. It describes in detail the neuropsychological characteristics of CI, relevant diagnostic criteria, and clinical and neuroimaging diagnostic techniques. In addition to stroke, cerebral small vessel disease, which is characterized in the article in a modern light, is shown to play an important role in the development of moderate vascular CI. The course, prognosis of vascular cognitive impairment, and their determinants are discussed. Approaches to the treatment of the disease, including nicergoline therapy, and preventive measures with emphasis on physical activity are presented.