[Vascular etiopathogenesis and degenerative dementias--current state of knowledge].

Dementia due to vascular and degenerative abnormalities has become more frequent with increasing life expectancy. Although the origin of both dementia types is still unknown, pathobiochemical perturbations comprising energy loss, lactic acidosis, calcium homeostasis and free radical formation have been found in both dementia types in incipient stages at the neuronal level. A therapeutic rational against these abnormalities is discussed.