Multi-infarct Dementia

Multi-infarct dementia (MID) can cause a dementia similar to Alzheimer disease (AD). However, no pathologic findings are present characteristic of AD. Instead, there are multiple ischemic lesions in the cerebral cortex that cumulatively result in loss of enough neurons to produce dementia. Most patients with MID have an abrupt onset of cognitive symptoms along with an incremental loss of mental function. Focal neurologic deficits can be present, depending upon the size and location of the infarcts. In some cases, though, there is gradual loss of mental function. Pathologically, marked cerebral arterial atherosclerosis and/or thromboembolic disease can account for the appearance of many infarcts, typically small and scattered. (Perl, 2000)