5.2 - Introduction to Dementia

Question 1

What is Dementia?

4

Answer 1

Memory impairment

At least one of the following: aphasia, apraxia, or executive functioning impairment

Cognitive impairment must be severe enough to impact social + occupational functioning

Deficits cannot only occur during the course of delirium

Question 2

What is the difference between MCI + Dementia?

Answer 2

MCI = a subtle but measurable memory disorder

Dementia = Multiple cognitive deficits including memory (memory + one other impairment)

Question 3

How severe must cognitive impairment be in Dementia?

Answer 3

Severe enough to affect ones ability to participate in functional everyday activiites

Question 4

Dementia must have a ______ and _______ course.

Answer 4

Gradual

Continuing

Question 5

Can dementia symptoms be attributable to other CSN illnesses?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Can dementia symptoms be attributable to other systematic conditions?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Can dementia symptoms be attributable to delirium?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Can dementia symptoms be attributable to depression?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Can dementia symptoms be attributable to other psychiatric illness?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Do Dementia Symptoms generally come gradually?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Do Dementia Symptoms often begin mildly and progress over time?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

Do Dementia Symptoms vary according to the cause of dementia?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What those with dementia have increasing difficulty remembering?

(7)

Answer 13

How to get to familiar locations

The names of friends, family members

Where common objects are usually kept

Simple math

How to perform usual tasks, such as cooking, dressing, bathing

How to drive

Bill paying

Question 14

What are the 8 general signs of Dementia?

Answer 14

Memory failure

Disorientation

Lapses in judgment

Difficulty performing ADL’s

Difficulty with mentally challenging tasks

Misplacing things

Apathy and loss of initiative

Mood changes

Question 15

Dementia affects ___% of the population older than age 65 worldwide.

Answer 15

1.5%

Question 16

There is increasing incidence and prevalence of dementia with advancing age. Dementia affects ___% of persons over age 85

Answer 16

30

Question 17

Dementia affects ___ per 1000 White Women.

Answer 17

34.7

Question 18

Dementia affects ___ per 1000 White Men.

Answer 18

35.3

Question 19

Dementia affects ___ per 1000 African American Women.

Answer 19

58.8

Question 20

Dementia affects ___ per 1000 African American Men.

Answer 20

53.0

Question 21

As life expectancy increases, the prevalence of ___________ will also increase.

Answer 21

Dementing illnesses

Question 22

How does the rate of dementia in North America compare to that of other continents?

Answer 22

It’s is one of those with higher prevalence

Question 23

What multi-factoral causes have Epidemiologic Studies found to increase susceptibility to dementia?

(5)

Answer 23

Genetic

Environmental

Experiential

Nutritional

Other factors

Question 24

What are the 5 Dementia Taxonomies?

Answer 24

Pre-senile vs senile

Cortical vs Subcortical

Disease name

Causes (11 categories)

Reversible (treatable) vs irreversible

Question 25

What are 6 Irreversible Dementia?

Answer 25

Alzheimer disease

Lewy body dementia

Fronto-temporal dementia

Multi-infarct dementia (multiple strokes)

Parkinson’s dementia

Vascular dementia (High BP, possibly stokes)

Question 26

What are Reversible Dementias?

Answer 26

One that we can remedy by treating the underlying cause

Question 27

What are 6 Reversible Dementias?

Answer 27

Drug toxicity

Metabolic imbalances

Infections

Tumors

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Alcohol intoxication

Question 28

What percentage of dementias are reversible?

Answer 28

10 -15%

Question 29

Cognitive decline associated with depression (pseudodementia) is ______.

Answer 29

Reversible

Question 30

Depression is present in ___% of all dementias.

Answer 30

50%

Question 31

Is Differential Diagnosis between dementia and

pseudementia easy?

Answer 31

No. It’s difficult.

Question 32

Is Polypharmacy an issues with Dementia?

Answer 32

Yes

Polypharmacy = taking multiple medications

Question 33

What are 4 common OTC drugs?

Answer 33

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Ibuprofen

Aspirin

Psudoephedrine hydrochloride (nasal decongestants)

Question 34

Can medications impair cognitive function?

Answer 34

Yes