Binswanger's Disease (Subcortical Arteriosclerotic Encephalopathy, Dementia - Subcortical)

What is Binswanger's Disease?

Binswanger's disease, sometimes referred to as subcortical dementia, is a rare form of dementia characterised 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.