Myocardial infarction in the differential diagnosis of dementias in the elderly.

The incidence of cerebral lesions in relation to myocardial infarction (MI) was evaluated on the basis of data obtained from medical records and autopsy reports on 269 psychogeriatric patients, in a 13-year retrospective study. Among 84 demented patients with MI, brain infarcts and hemorrhages were found in 42 percent, and Alzheimer's disease in 17 percent; (combination in 8 percent). In contrast, among 70 demented patients without MI, brain infarcts and hemorrhages were found in 11 percent, and Alzheimer's disease in 43 percent; (combination in 6 percent). Therefore, when it is difficult to differentiate senile dementia (Alzheimer's disease) from dementia due to cerebrovascular impairment, data on the presence or absence of myocardial infarction may prove useful.