By KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – Researchers at St. Louis University are studying whether medications used to treat Alzheimer's may also work for another form of dementia caused by strokes.
Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia, and has symptoms similar to Alzheimer's.
Dr. George Grossberg of the university's School of Medicine says the study will try to determine possible connections between risk factors for stroke and Alzheimer's.
"Stroke and heart attack risk factors, if they're not controlled, may also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's in later life," Grossberg said.
Dr. Grossberg says if the study shows the medications are successful, they may be available for treatment of vascular dementia in about two years.