Alzheimer's disease with cerebrovascular disease: current status in the Asia–Pacific region

Abstract

AD+CVD is likely to be under-recognised in Asia. Further research is needed to establish the true prevalence of this treatable and potentially preventable disease.

Treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment with or without cerebrovascular disease: Expert consensus on the use of Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761®

“…In Asia, AD + CVD accounts for up to 20% of all dementia cases, and there is some evidence for a higher prevalence of AD + CVD in the Asian region compared with Western populations . Globally, but also in Asia, AD + CVD is thought to be underdiagnosed, primarily due to lack of awareness resulting from a lack of defined diagnostic criteria, but also due to the high cost of investigations, a lack of adequate diagnostic facilities, and other resource constraints . It has been suggested that some Asian epidemiology studies may be influenced by “survivor bias” due to a high proportion of early deaths .…”

“…Clinically overt dementia has a spectrum ranging from mild to severe . Diagnosis involves clinical assessment, neuropsychological evaluation, and often neuroimaging . Core clinical criteria for all‐cause dementia, based on DSM‐5 criteria for neurocognitive disorders, include cognitive impairments and behavioral symptoms that interfere with functioning and activities of daily living (ADL).…”

“…The term “AD dementia” specifically refers to a clinical syndrome arising secondary to the pathophysiological process that leads to AD . AD and vascular dementia (VaD) are considered to be the most common forms of dementia, but more recently, attention has focused on the co‐existence of AD and CVD . AD and VaD may be considered to be a disease continuum, with pure AD at one end of the spectrum, VaD at the other, and AD with concomitant CVD comprising the majority of cases .…”

Hypertension and Dementia: A comprehensive review from the HOPE Asia Network

“…The prevalence of dementia in Asian countries varies from 2% to 13%, with the greatest risk factors being age, female sex, and low education . The high epidemiological variation in Asian countries may be attributable to the different diagnostic criteria used.…”

“…The high epidemiological variation in Asian countries may be attributable to the different diagnostic criteria used. Also, differences in the level of education of respondents can also influence the results, accounting for as much as a twofold difference . Moreover, the number of dementia and cerebrovascular disease in Asia is higher than the number in Western countries …”