Synonym(s): Subcortical Arteriosclerotic Encephalopathy, Dementia - Subcortical
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Studies with patientsTable of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Binswanger's Disease?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Binswanger's Disease?
Binswanger's disease, sometimes referred to as subcortical dementia, is a rare form of dementia characterized by cerebrovascular lesions in the deep white-matter of the brain, loss of memory and cognition, and mood changes. Patients usually show signs of abnormal blood pressure, stroke, blood abnormalities, disease of the large blood vessels in the neck, and disease of the heart valves. Other prominent features of the disease include urinary incontinence, difficulty walking, clumsiness, slowness of conduct, lack of facial expression, and speech difficulty. These symptoms, which tend to begin after the age of 60, are not always present in all patients and may sometimes appear only as a passing phase.Is there any treatment?
There is no specific course of treatment for Binswanger's disease. Treatment is symptomatic, often involving the use of medications to control high blood pressure, depression, heart arrhythmias and low blood pressure.
What is the prognosis?
Binswanger's disease is a slowly progressive condition for which there is no cure. The disorder is often marked by strokes and partial recovery.
What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a wide range of research on dementing disorders, and scientists are currently re-evaluating the definitions for certain dementias, including Binswanger's disease/subcortical dementia. The goals of research are to improve the diagnosis of dementias and to find ways to treat and prevent them. The National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Mental Health also support research related to the dementias.
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
OrganizationsAlzheimer's Disease Education
and Referral Center (ADEAR)
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD
20907-8250
adear@alzheimers.org
http://www.alzheimers.org
Tel: 301-495-3311
800-438-4380
Fax: 301-495-3334
Alzheimer's Association
919 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 1100
Chicago, IL
60611-1676
info@alz.org
http://www.alz.org
Tel: 312-335-8700
800-272-3900
Fax: 312-335-1110
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX
75231-4596
inquiries@heart.org
http://www.americanheart.org
Tel: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
214-373-6300
Fax: 214-369-3685
Family Caregiver Alliance
690 Market Street
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA
94104
info@caregiver.org
http://www.caregiver.org
Tel: 415-434-3388
800-445-8106
Fax: 415-434-3508
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT
06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100
Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
National Stroke Association
9707 East Easter Lane
Englewood, CO
80112-3747
info@stroke.org
http://www.stroke.org
Tel: 303-649-9299
800-STROKES (787-6537)
Fax: 303-649-1328
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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