International Psychogeriatrics
Volume 15, Supplement 1 - 2003
Epidemiology of Cerebrovascular Disease Related Cognitive Decline, p105 CHENGXUAN QIU AND LAURA FRATIGLIONI
ABSTRACT. Cognitive decline is a central component of the dementia process. Population-based
prospective studies have confirmed the existence of age-related cognitive decline, although its
conceptual basis and nosological status remain controversial. Healthy old people show decline
with aging in global cognition and memory function in particular. Preclinical and clinical
dementia patients exhibit deficits across multiple cognitive domains, with the largest and most
consistent deficits in memory function. Cerebrovascular disease may lead to cognitive decline
and promote the clinical expression of dementia directly or by interaction with APOE 4. Early
treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disease may be the major measures for preventing and
postponing the progression of the vascular disease related cognitive decline.
