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Vascular Cognitive Impairment

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Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia

Part of the book series: Clinical Handbooks in Neuropsychology ((CHNEURO))

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Abstract

The risk of cerebrovascular disease increases with advanced age, with almost two thirds of individuals over 70 exhibiting vascular lesions on MRI. Cognitive presentations vary from little or no no cognitive impairment to clinical dementia, and the extent of cognitive impairment is not necessarily correlated with lesion size or burden. The term vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes all forms of cognitive impairment caused by cerebrovascular disease. Early identification of vascular disease is critical since many risk factors are modifiable, and the neuropsychologist can play an important role in characterizing the extent of cognitive and behavioral change. This chapter provides an overview of the clinical guidelines to consider when evaluating older adults with possible VCI and includes an illustrative case example and useful recommendations for the clinician.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Robert Paul Ph.D. & Elizabeth Lane Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology, Division of Behavioral Neurosciences, 1 University Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA

    Robert Paul Ph.D. & Elizabeth Lane Ph.D.

  3. Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A0118 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Angela Jefferson Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Robert Paul Ph.D.
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  2. Elizabeth Lane Ph.D.
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  3. Angela Jefferson Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Paul Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. East 72 Street, STE 500 428, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Lisa D. Ravdin

  2. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, NW. 14th Street 1120, Miami, 33136, Florida, USA

    Heather L. Katzen

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Paul, R., Lane, E., Jefferson, A. (2013). Vascular Cognitive Impairment. In: Ravdin, L., Katzen, H. (eds) Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia. Clinical Handbooks in Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3106-0_19

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