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Dementia at old age: a clinical end-point of atherosclerotic disease

G.J. Blauw*,1, E.L.E.M. Bollen2, M.A. van Buchem3 and R.G.J. Westendorp1

1 Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
2 Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
3 Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

* Correspondence: G. J. Blauw, MD, PhD, Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.

Abstract

The main causes of dementia at old age are Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The clinical presentations of late-onset Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia can barely be differentiated. This clinical observation is supported by pathological findings. Late-onset dementia should be considered a multifactorial disease, in which both vascular factors and amyloid dispositions contribute to cognitive decline.

Key Words: Alzheimer's disease • atherosclerosis • 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) • pravastatin • vascular dementia

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This Article
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