Cognitive Profile of Large-Vessel Vascular Dementia-An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Kolkata

Abstract

Introduction Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia worldwide. Its heterogenous presentation along with potential for reversibility at earlier stages makes it unique among all dementias. Objectives We aimed to study the cognitive dysfunction in large-vessel vascular dementia. Second, we tried to study the cognitive dysfunction in large-vessel vascular dementia as per the arterial territory involvement. Additionally, we also tried to study the contribution of hemispheric involvement to the dementia severity as evidenced by clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale. Materials and Methods We recruited 28 patients of large-vessel vascular dementia and categorized them on the basis of the arterial territories and hemisphere involved. The groups were later studied for the type of cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions as well as the dementia severity. Results Among 28 patients of large-vessel vascular dementia, attention (100%), executive function (100%), and behavior (100%) were more impaired in anterior cerebral artery territory infarcts (p < 0.05). Language (53.8%) and memory (53.8%) were more impaired in middle cerebral artery territory infarcts, while visuoperceptual (33.3%) domains were more impaired in posterior cerebral artery territory infarcts (p > 0.05). The mean CDR was lower in patients of right-sided lesions (1.292) than in those with left-sided (1.750) or bilateral lesions (2.000). Conclusion Different arterial territory lesions have different patterns of cognitive impairment in large-vessel vascular dementia. The dementia severity is less in right-sided lesions when compared with left-sided or bilateral lesions.