Vascular Dementia: The Role of Changes in the Vessels

The role of changes in the vessels in vascular dementia (VaD) was reviewed through histopathology. Because Binswanger's subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy is a common type of VaD, and it forms a homogenous group among the subtypes of VaD, arteriopathy in the subcortical structure was the main focus. Fibrohyalinosis and fibrinoid necrosis with segmental arterial disorganization are the two cardinal features of arteriopathy in the subcortical structures. From the viewpoint of neuropathological changes in VaD, notes were made of the areas that need to be explored in future studies and revised clinical criteria for VaD were proposed.