Defining the diagnosis of vascular dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a heterogeneous term that has evolved to describe the behavioral syndromes associated with a variety of clinical and neuropathologic changes. As such, the VaD literature lacks a clear consensus regarding the neuropsychological and other constituent characteristics associated with various cerebrovascular changes. We address the issues articulated by Paul and colleagues (Paul, Garrett, & Cohen, 2003), by offering four recommendations to refine the clinical assessment and diagnostic decision-making process of individuals with suspected cerebrovascular changes: (a) Describing the nature of vascular changes may facilitate predictions regarding the neuropsychological profile of subtypes of VaD; (b) employ a process approach to assessment, measuring cognitive constructs in addition to test scores to describe the neuropsychological profiles of types of VaD; (c) integrate direct MRI observations of the brain and other collateral data in the diagnostic process; and (d) consider using "vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia" for suspected prodromal VaD.