Therapy of vascular dementias.

Vascular dementia (VD) has not to be considered anymore as a univocal nosologic entity. Based on different types of lesions, distinct subtypes of vascular dementia may be identified, each caused by diverse pathophysiological mechanisms. Among these subtypes subcortical vascular dementia (SVD) may represent a well-defined entity in terms of pathophysiology, clinical features and neuroradiological aspects. The picture is characterized by history of arterial hypertension and other vascular risk factors, clinical symptoms and signs including, besides dementia, dysfunctions related to subcortical-frontal circuit damages, and extensive confluent or diffuse abnormalities in the subcortical brain white matter, small deep infarcts as revealed by computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The homogeneity of this clinical-pathological picture is essential for the success of controlled clinical trials in the field of vascular dementia.