• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Multi-infarct dementia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Multi-infarct dementia (MID) is the most common form of vascular dementia, which is a deterioration in mental function caused by strokes. "Multi-infarct" means that multiple areas in the brain have been injured due to a lack of blood.

Alternative Names:

MID

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

MID affects approximately 4 out of 10,000 people. It is estimated that 10 - 20% of all dementias are caused by strokes, making MID the third most common cause of dementia in the elderly, behind Alzheimer's disease and DLBD (dementia of Lewy bodies). MID affects men more often than women. The disorder usually affects people over 55, with the average onset at age 65.

The symptoms of MID vary. Memory loss is often an early symptom of the disorder, followed by trouble making judgments. This often progresses to delirium , hallucinations, and thinking problems. Personality and mood changes can also occur. Lack of emotion and motivation, withdrawal, and extreme excitability (agitation) are common. Confusion that occurs or is worse at night is another common symptom.

Risk factors for MID include a history of stroke , hypertension , smoking, and atherosclerosis.

Some research suggests that MID may cause Alzheimer's disease or make it get worse faster. MID may be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's, or may be found in addition to Alzheimer's disease.

• Review Date: 4/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.