Diagnostic criteria in cerebrovascular diseases and vascular dementia

Variations in diagnostic criteria for cerebrovascular diseases can prove pr oblematic not only in ensuring correct diagnosis, but also in interpreting the results of different epidemiological studies. This paper reviews differ ing methodologies in defining vascular dementia (VaD), and discusses the co ntribution made by the development of diagnostic criteria for research stud ies of VaD by the USA National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stro ke-Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neuros ciences (NINDS-AIREN criteria). Eur J Neurol 5 (suppl 5):S3-S8 (C) 1998 Lip pincott Williams & Wilkins.