Hachinski Ischemic Score (dementia type)
Hachinski Ischemic Score (Hachinski 1975): a 0-18 bedside score separating vascular (multi-infarct) from degenerative dementia; >= 7 favors vascular, <= 4 favors Alzheimer-type.
Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Abrupt onset
- Yes
- Fluctuating course
- Yes
- History of strokes
- Yes
- Focal neurological symptoms
- Yes
Result: Hachinski 8/18: a score that favors a vascular (multi-infarct) dementia.
The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.
What the result means
- Bands
- <= 4 favors a primary degenerative (Alzheimer-type) dementia; 5-6 is indeterminate or mixed; >= 7 favors a vascular (multi-infarct) cause.
What you enter
- Abrupt onset (+2)
- Stepwise deterioration (+1)
- Fluctuating course (+2)
- Nocturnal confusion (+1)
- Relative preservation of personality (+1)
- Depression (+1)
- Somatic complaints (+1)
- Emotional incontinence (+1)
The other 5 fields
- History of hypertension (+1)
- History of strokes (+2)
- Associated atherosclerosis (+1)
- Focal neurological symptoms (+2)
- Focal neurological signs (+2)
How this is calculated
- Weights
- 2 points each: abrupt onset, fluctuating course, history of strokes, focal symptoms, focal signs. 1 point each: the other eight features. Maximum 18.
Hachinski VC, Iliff LD, Zilhka E, et al. Cerebral blood flow in dementia. Arch Neurol. 1975;32(9):632-637. Read the source ↗
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.