Psychiatria pre prax 2/2012

Alzheimer, s disease and mixed dementia – one entity or two?

Mixed dementia refers to a combination of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular process with a presumption of an equal contribution of both pathologies on the cognitive deficit. Neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular pathology increases in an aging brain and that can present clinically in a different extent. In our work we summarize clinical and pathological interactions between both pathologies. We try to determine the borders of mixed dementia and in accordance with data available so far we analyse mixed dementia anticipated prevalence and summarise diagnostic criteria and clinical characteristics.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, mixed dementia, vascular dementia, subcortical atherosclerotic encephalopathy, cognitive decline.