AD Flashcards
What is the primary feature of AD?
Anterograde (in Stuckey)
Described an amnestic disorder characterized by rapid forgetting of learned information (as opposed to deficit in encoding/retrieval seen in subcortical dementias)
What are neuropathological features of AD?
Neuritic plaques -abnormal deposition of amyloid
Neurofibrillary tangles - accumulations of tau abnormalities
What is the neuroanatomical progression of AD?
Temporal to frontal, beginning with hippocampus & entorhinal cortex
Most atrophy in temporal lobe and association areas
What is the single largest risk factors for AD?
Age
History of chronic major depression is one of risk factors for AD, true or false?
True (has been found in some cases)
What is the incidence of AD?
5% over age 65, rate doubles every 4-5 years
25% >85 y.o.
Brain volume decline is associated with normal aging, true or false?
True
What are common cognitive changes in normal aging?
Decreased sustained and divided attention
Less efficient rates of learning
Reduced spontaneous recall
Decreased cognitive flexibility
What are cognitive abilities resistant to aging?
Vocabulary, reading ability Simple attention Basic arithmetic Recognition memory Remote memory
What are features of stage 1 of AD?
Stage 1 (1-3 years): memory impairment, anomia, anosodiaphoria, decreased initiative, relative functional independence
What are features of stage 2 of AD?
Stage 2 (2-10 years): amnesia, aphasia, visuospatial difficulties, personality and emotional changes, lack of initiation, may require assisted living MRI findings of ventricular dilation and PET finding of biparietal hypometabolism common
What are features of stage 3 of AD?
Profound impairment in all aspects of cognition, 24-hour supervision required, hallucinations and nighttime wandering common
Progressive atrophy seen on MRI on most cases
What are features of last stages of AD?
Inability to follow basic routines, incontinence, psychotic symptoms
Inability to chew and swallow, noncommunicative and bedridden, increased vulnerability to pneumonia and other illnesses
What distinguishes LBD from AD?
More prominent visuospatial impairment, extrapyramidal symptoms, visual hallucinations, REM sleep behavior disorder, fluctuating symptoms
What medications are used in AD?
Cholinesterase inhibitors (donezepil, rivastagmine, galantamine) used in all stages
NMDA deceptor antagonists (memantine) - typically in moderate stage
No disease modifying treatment
