[Application of ischemic score of Hachinski in differentiation of multi-infarct dementia]

Abstract

The Beijing Geriatric Mental Health Center has admitted 46 cases of dementia of the aged in recent more than two years. For them many routine examinations as well as rating scale related and CT scanning were carried out. Their final diagnosis at discharge were of 4 categories: (1) Multi-infarct dementia (MID); (2) Alzheimer's disease(AD); (3) MID+AD, mixed type; and (4) dementia of other causes. We applied Ischemic Score of Hachinski for the 14 cases of MID. The score was over 7 points in all the 14 cases. And the CT pictures in 11 cases showed multiple infarctions, only 3 cases gave evidence of cerebral atrophy. Therefore, the Ischemic Score and CT Scanning were very significant in the diagnosis of MID. The role of each item of the total 13 items of the ischemic score in the diagnosis of MID was discussed according to the clinical materials. It is pointed out that the "stepwise deterioration", "fluctuating course", "history of strokes" and "focal neurological signs" were more important in the diagnosis of MID.