28 The effect of ageing on the nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

what is Alzheimer’s Disease?

A

{a form of dementia}

a reduction in cognitive ability associated with gradual brain cell death

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2
Q

what is familial AD?

A

a family history of AD attributed to susceptibility

some alleles cause early onset

~ 0.1 % of cases are autosomal dominant inheritance

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3
Q

what are the three alleles that tend to AD mutations?

A

amyloid precursor protein

presenilin 1

presenilin 2

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4
Q

what are causes of sporadic AD?

A

other genetic differences (e.g. APOEe4 –> incr. rate of deposition in plaques)

severe/repeated head injury

stroke

low levels of intellectual stimulants

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5
Q

what are some cardiovascular diseases that can contribute to development of AD?

A

hypertension

smoking + its attributed diseases

high blood cholesterol

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6
Q

what are symptoms of AD in brain scans?

A

shrivelled/fewer brain cells

shorter/fewer dendrites

Tau inside cells

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7
Q

outline the early stage of AD

A

cognitive deficits are accounted for ∴ person continues to function independently

basic memory loss; poor judgement; mood changes

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8
Q

outline the mid-stage of AD

A

personality changes

physical problems

lack of awareness of forgetting

aphasia; disorientation; aggression

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9
Q

outline the late stage of AD

A

severe and distressing

loss of control of bodily functions –> complete dependency on carer

loss of language and dysphagia

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10
Q

what are Tau proteins?

A

proteins that stabilise microtubules

abundant in CNS neurones

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11
Q

how do Tau proteins contribute to development of AD?

A

neurofibrillary tangles of Tau

hyperphosphorylation of Tau –> build up inside the neurone causing them to disintegrate

abnormal breakdown of Tau –> B-amyloid proteins –> accumulates and forms plaque on outside of axons and dendrites

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12
Q

how does a loss of neurones and synapses contribute to development of AD?

A

in cerebral cortex and subcortical regions

gross atrophy of temporal/parietal lobes + parts of frontal cortex

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13
Q

how does herpes simplex type 1 contribute to development of AD?

A

causative of APOEe4

causes damage to CNS

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14
Q

outline the inflammatory processes that contribute to development of AD

A

derivatives of B-amyloid-derived diffusible ligands

kill a range of neurones

bind to surface receptors on the neurones and change the structure of a synapse –> disruption to neuronal communication

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15
Q

how could a vaccine prevent AD?

A

stimulates B cells

antigen is abnormal part of B-amyloid

immune system acts against the body protein

specific antibodies attach to B-amyloid

removed by white blood cells

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16
Q

what is the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia?

A

dementia is disruptive to normal functioning

17
Q

how can memory loss be reduced?

A

regular exercise

social interaction

fruit/veg/antioxidants

managing stress

sufficient sleep

not smoking

18
Q

what is presbycusis?

A

age-related hearing loss due to the damage and death of hair cells in the cochlea and neurones in the auditory nerve

19
Q

what is visual impairment?

A

a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person’s ability to function at certain or all tasks

20
Q

what is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)?

A

a loss of central vision that results from a loss of effective function in the macular

21
Q

what is dry ARMD?

A

cellular debris (drusen) accumulates between retina and choroid causing the retina to detach

22
Q

what is wet ARMD?

A

{neovascular}

abnormal blood vessel growth in the choroid causing leaking of fluid into retina –> scarring of macular

retina can detach from choroid

23
Q

how is wet ARMD treated?

A

laser coagulation surgery

medication to inhibit blood vessel growth

24
Q

how do eyedrops cause the pupil to dilate?

A

circular and radial muscles = antagonistics

drops act like NAdr (symp.)

∴ radial muscles contract

drug also blocks ACh (para.)

∴ circular muscles not stimulated to contract

25
what is cataracts?
a loss of transparency of the lens, resulting in cloudy vision
26
what are the four categories of cataracts?
partial/complete stationary/progressive hard/soft partly/completely opaque
27
what are the three types of cataracts?
nuclear (colour differentiation more difficult) cortical (problems with glare) subcapsular (poor vision in daylight)
28
name three factors that contribute towards cataract development
diabetes smoking alcohol
29
how is cataracts treated?
cloudy lens removed and replaced by a plastic one
30
what is glaucoma?
damage of the optic nerve due to increased pressure from a lack of drainage
31
what is chronic open-angle glaucoma?
blockage of drainage from aqueous humour
32
what is primary angle-closure glaucoma?
touching of iris and cornea blocks drainage channels
33
what is secondary glaucoma?
glaucoma following another eye condition
34
what is congenital glaucoma?
develops just after birth
35
name the two factors that contribute to glaucoma
age ethnicity
36
how is glaucoma treated?
eye drops laser surgery