The symptoms of subcortical vascular dementia tend to be more consistent than other types of vascular dementia. Early loss of bladder control is common, which causes incontinence.
A person may also have difficulties with movement, such as being weaker on one side of their body, or becoming less steady and more likely to fall when walking. Other symptoms may include clumsiness, lack of facial expression and problems pronouncing words.
Stroke-related dementia
Vascular dementia can also be caused by a stroke. This is when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly cut off.
With most strokes, a blood vessel in the brain becomes narrowed and is blocked by a clot. The clot may have formed in the brain or, if someone has heart disease, it may have formed in the heart and been carried to the brain. Sometimes, it is because the vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain, but this is much less common.
Some strokes are more severe than others. It depends on where the blocked vessel is and how long the blood supply is interrupted (this can be permanent or temporary).
Many people who have problems with their thinking during the weeks and months after a stroke do not develop dementia. Some of these people may improve over time. However, about one in five people go on to develop vascular dementia within six months. For these people, their condition will get worse over time.
