Definition
Binswangers Disease is a type of neurologic disorder. It is characterized by degeneration and lesions of the deep white matter of the brain. Binswangers Disease is a form of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia results when brain cells are deprived of oxygen. This causes brain cells to die.
Causes
Binswangers Disease occurs when cells of the white matter of the brain
degenerate and/or die. This degeneration of the white matter is due to hardening
of the blood vessels within the white matter of the brain, which results in a
compromise of the blood supply to:
- The brain in general
- The white matter of the brain in particular
The exact cause of
Binswangers Diseaseis unknown. However, factors
that are believed to play a role in causing the disease include:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hardening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease
or condition.
Binswangers Disease usually affects people over the age of
60. Other exact risk factors for the disease are unknown. However, factors that
are believed to increase the risk of the disease include:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hardening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes
Symptoms
Symptoms of
Binswangers Disease usually do not appear until age 60. In
some patients, symptoms appear suddenly with neurologic changes like those
caused by a stroke. Usually, however, symptoms begin slowly and grow
progressively worse. Sometimes, symptoms may stabilize or even improve after
they appear. However, in most patients, the disease continues to progress.
The main symptoms of
Binswangers Disease include:
- Progressive deterioration of:
- Intellectual abilities
- Cognitive and motor abilities
- Progressive memory loss
- Slow, unsteady gait
- Muscle rigidity
Other symptoms that may be present in people with this disease include:
- Incontinence
- Difficulty speaking
- Swallowing difficulties
- Paralysis of one side of the body
- Apathy (loss of interest in activities)
- Inactivity
- Depression
- Parkinson-like symptoms, including:
- Tremors
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of trunk mobility
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Disorientation
Diagnosis
Binswangers Disease is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are
similar to those of many other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular
dementia.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a
physical exam. Tests may include:
- MRI scan – a test that uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your brain
- CT scan – a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of your
brain
- SPECT (single photon-emission computed tomography) – a test to look for
functional degeneration of the white matter in the brain
Treatment
There is no known cure for
Binswangers Disease. Most patients die
within 5-10 years after onset of the disease.
Medications can be given to help limit or control symptoms and possibly slow
progression of the disease. These include:
- Medications to control:
- High blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Stroke risk (e.g., Aspirin)
- Increased cholesterol
- Antidepressant medications
Prevention
There are no definitive guidelines for the prevention of
Binswangers
Disease because the exact cause is unknown. However, the following may help
reduce your risk:
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.
- Eat a diet that is low in fat and low in salt.
- If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Moderate alcohol intake is
two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
- Have your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels checked regularly
(at least once per year).