Multi-infarct
dementia is a subclass of vascular
dementia.
Infarct refers to tissue damage following
cessation of bloodflow, as after a stroke. Sometimes, a stroke
can be small and temporary; blood flow is weakened or blocked
only for a brief period of time. In this case, the stroke
is called a transient ischemic attack or TIA. The symptoms
(such as dizziness, blurred vision or mild weakness in an
arm or leg) may only last a few hours and appear to clear
up on their own. Many individuals do not seek medical treatment,
and may not even realize they have had a small stroke. In
many cases, there is no lasting brain or neurological damage.
However, a series of repeated small strokes can cause accumulated
damage to the brain. Over time, they can cause widespread
disruption and dementia. by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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