Symptoms of Small Vessel Brain Disease

Blood vessels traveling from the heart branch into smaller vessels inside the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients. These small vessels can become abnormal with age, or conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. People with small vessel disease have damage to the cables the brain cells use to communicate -- and to certain deep clusters of brain cells. The damage develops due to blockage of blood flow or bleeding from small blood vessels in the brain. While some people with small vessel brain disease have no symptoms, others develop problems with thinking, mood and movement.Small vessel brain disease can lead to thinking problems. When severe, this is called vascular dementia. Although estimates vary, a June 2014 "BioMed Research International" article reports that blood vessel problems account for 20 percent of dementia worldwide -- second only to Alzheimer disease. Small vessel brain disease typically causes milder memory problems than Alzheimer disease, mainly with recalling information. There can also be difficulties with staying focused, problem-solving and planning tasks. Overall slowing of thinking and responding can occur.Mood and personality changes may signal small vessel brain disease. Depression can occur alone or along with thinking problems and can worsen over time. In contrast to Alzheimer disease, people with vascular dementia can have mood swings or personality changes early in the course of disease. They may become irritable or impatient or stop caring about themselves or their surroundings. People with small vessel disease may also develop uncontrollable and possibly inappropriate episodes of laughter or crying.Small vessel brain disease commonly causes strokes, in which an area of the brain is deprived of oxygen and dies. Some strokes cause no obvious symptoms despite the brain damage. Other strokes cause sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, problems with coordination, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or double vision. People with small vessel brain disease typically accumulate tiny strokes over time, leading to problems with balance and slow walking due to trouble managing the sequence of walking. They are at risk of falling earlier than people with Alzheimer disease. They may also have urinary accidents due to a sudden urge to go.