Vasculaire cognitieve beperking

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.

• Vascular cognitive impairment is more prevalent than vascular dementia, but at present this condition is not recognized adequately.

• Vascular cognitive impairment does not manifest itself as dementia after stroke, but as gradually commencing cognitive impairment with or without a gait disorder.

• The clinical picture is caused by white matter damage and multiple lacunar strokes, sometimes called ‘silent’ strokes.

• Patients with vascular cognitive impairment have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, falling, and further cognitive decline, eventually evolving into dementia.

• It is important to recognize these patients and to provide advice and appliances and equipment, treat cardiovascular risk factors and prevent the complications of falling.