Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia, accounting for around one in five cases. VaD occurs when the blood supply to the brain becomes reduced or interrupted due to narrowing of the arteries, or following a stroke or series of strokes that cause brain cell death. VaD is associated with having a sudden onset and a stepwise decline in function. Risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Raised cholesterol
• Obesity.

Symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain affected. They may include:

• Problems with thinking, concentration and communication
• Depression and anxiety
• Symptoms of stroke, e.g. paralysis
• Memory problems
• Seizures
• Periods of severe confusion
• Visual mistakes and misconceptions
• Changes in behaviour, e.g. restlessness 
• Psychosis
• Incontinence
• Psychological problems, e.g. becoming more obsessive.