2: Memory problems - assessment

Question 1

What is memory?

Answer 1

The ability to store and retrieve information

Question 2

Memory allows us to ___ from past experience.

Answer 2

learn

Question 3

What are the three broad types of memory?

How long does each last for?

Answer 3

Sensory memory (< 1 sec)

Short-term memory (< 1 min)

Long-term memory (> 30 mins, up to a lifetime)

Question 4

What are the two subtypes of long-term memory?

Answer 4

Explicit (i.e your conscious memory)

Implicit (i.e your unconscious memory)

Question 5

What is contained within your explicit long-term memory?

Answer 5

Facts

Events and experiences

Question 6

What is contained within your implicit long-term memory?

Answer 6

Routines

Unconscious skills

Question 7

Unconscious behaviours and routines are contained within your ___ memory.

Facts and experiences are contained within your ___ memory.

Answer 7

implicit

explicit

Question 8

What do you need to do in order to learn new information?

Answer 8

Pay attention

Concentrate

Question 9

If you’re concentrating on learning something new, it is then ___ in your memory.

Answer 9

encoded

as words, sound, feelings etc.

Question 10

What do you need to do to bring information back into your short-term / working memory?

Answer 10

Retrieve it

Question 11

What is amnesia?

Answer 11

Memory loss

Question 12

What are the two types of amnesia?

Describe the memory loss experienced in each,

Answer 12

Anterograde (loss of memories after a disease or illness starts)

Retrograde (loss of memories preceding the onset of a disease or illness)

Question 13

What are some presenting complaints of patients with a memory problem?

Answer 13

Forgetting names

Frequently losing things

Getting lost

Forgetting to do important tasks

Losing track of conversations

Question 14

Memory loss occurs with ___ and is normal.

Answer 14

age

Question 15

What is the term used to describe memory loss somewhere between age-related forgetfulness and dementia?

Answer 15

Mild cognitive impairment

Question 16

In the elderly, it is important to differentiate dementia from which mood disorders?

Answer 16

Anxiety

Depression

which are very common and cause a “pseudodementia” which is treatable

Question 17

Dementia is a chronic, progressive decline in cortical function.

Which aspects of cortical function are affected?

Answer 17

Memory

Decision making

Judgement

Orientation

Comprehension

Language

Question 18

What is the most common cause of dementia?

Answer 18

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 19

What is the second most common cause of dementia?

Answer 19

Cerebrovascular disease

Question 20

How would you describe the onset of

a) delirium
b) depression
c) dementia?

Answer 20

a) Acute

b) Gradual

c) Insidious

Question 21

To assess a patient’s current cognitive state, you need to know what their ____ cognition was like.

Answer 21

premorbid

Question 22

Which scoring system is used to assess patients for delirium?

Answer 22

4AT

Question 23

What is a

a) normal
b) abnormal MMSE score?

Answer 23

a) > 27/30

b) < 24/30

Question 24

Which scoring systems can be used for

a) brief
b) in-depth screening for dementia?

Answer 24

a) MMSE, MOCA

b) ACE-III, GPCOG

Question 25

If a patient is screened and their cognitive score is normal, can they have dementia?

Answer 25

Yes

Some types present with other symptoms before cognitive impairment e.g frontotemporal dementia, which presents as personality / behavioural change initially

Question 26

If a cognitive examination is inconclusive or you have doubts about the results, what can you refer a patient for?

Answer 26

Neuropsychological assessment