Decline of cerebral blood flow had a significant role in genesis of vascular dementia but recently was suggested to be an etiological factor for development of Alzheimer dementia. The present study was trying to answer this question by estimation of the cerebral blood flow in both vascular and Alzheimer dementia and to compare results with that of healthy elderly. Results showed a lower cerebral blood flow in both types of dementia but, such decline was significant for vascular dementia and insignificant for Alzheimer dementia. Cardiovascular risk factors though were present in both vascular and Alzheimer dementia but were more prevalent in vascular dementia than Alzheimer dementia and this support the idea that correction of cardiovascular risk factors is essential in elderly to prevent or ameliorate cognitive dysfunction which is a major manifestation of dementia.

Dr. Afaf Hemeda is a professor of internal medicine with geriatric specialty, Kasr Al Eini, Cairo University, qualified with Master degree 1991, MD 1996, MRCP 2006 and FRCP 2009, member of British Geriatric Society and has many publications in cardiovascular and geriatric medicine. Dr. Dina Riad is an assistant lecturer of internal medicine, KasrAlAini, Cairo University. Dr. Mohamed Naguib is associate professor of internal medicine with gastroenterology speciality, Kasr AlAini hospital, Cairo University.