Question

Which one of the following characteristics pertaining to vascular dementia is false?

A. There is a stepwise decline in functioning
B. Hypertension is a known risk factor
C. There is abrupt onset of symptoms
D. There is a good response to cholinergic therapies
E. Smoking is a known risk factor

Answer 1

The false statement about vascular dementia characteristics is 'There is a good response to cholinergic therapies'. Vascular dementia usually presents with stepwise decline, and both hypertension and smoking are significant risk factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Characteristics of Vascular Dementia:

The statement regarding vascular dementia characteristics that is false is 'There is a good response to cholinergic therapies'. Vascular dementia, which is due to problems in blood supply to the brain, often presents with a stepwise decline in functioning rather than a smooth, gradual decline seen in some other forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Hypertension and smoking are significant risk factors for vascular dementia since they affect blood vessels and can lead to atherosclerosis and strokes, which in turn may cause vascular dementia. While there is often an abrupt onset of symptoms associated with the initial stroke, the subsequent cognitive decline tends to be stepwise. The response to cholinergic therapies, often used in Alzheimer's disease, is generally poor in vascular dementia because the pathology of the two conditions differs significantly.