Role of stroke in dementia.

Abstract

There is no doubt that human cerebral infarction or hemorrhage, single or multiple, can destroy enough brain tissue to impair the higher cerebral functions. The specific question discussed was whether or not it is justifiable to ascribe mostly to strokes those disorders marked chiefly by gradual deterioration in the highest (especially the cognitive) functions, i.e., the dementias. The facts do not support this ascription. Evidence to the contrary comes from both clinical and pathological studies.