Neuropsychology and Vascular Dementia

Abstract

Neuropsychological impairments associated with vascular dementia (VaD) remain a challenge to diagnose and treat. Available diagnostic tests and screening by competent, knowledgeable, and experienced neuropsychologists are useful clinically in delineating individual VaD cases. Pharmaceutical treatment remains equivocal, and may not be responsive to individual needs and family issues. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, an integrative approach to treating both cognitive impairments and personality changes, offers hope and potential improvement by incorporating a variety of techniques. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation improves self-esteem and outlook and provides professional communication with families to allow the development of an understanding of the disorder, to fulfill needs, and to furnish appropriate guidance in the care of their relatives. Gains may be short-lived if the disease progresses rapidly, but they prevail with a slower rate of cognitive decline. The benefits of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation prove invaluable both to patients and families. Although such treatments do not provide permanent solutions, patients and their families usually desire even a temporary improvement in quality of life.