Alzheimer's Flashcards
what is DSM-V used for
diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorders
must show significant decline from previous level of performance in 1 or more cognitive domains
what is tested in DSM-V
attention
executive function
memory
language
perceptual motor
social cognition
what aids in localisation of cognitive symptoms
memory - short/long term
attention/concentration
language - expressive/receptive
visuospatial
behavioural problems/change in personality
describe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
found in motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord
causes atrophy of motor neurons and muscles
bunina bodies and lewy body-like inclusions
describe Alzheimer’s disease
varies with Braak stage - entorhinal, hippocampus, parietotemporal cortex
causes cerebral atrophy
a-beta plaques and tangles
describe multiple sclerosis
found in CNS, brainstem and spinal cord
causes damage of myelin sheath and neurons
focal demyelinated plaques
describe Parkinson’s
found in midbrain and basal ganglia
causes pallor of substantia nigra
causes Lewy bodies
describe Lewy body dementia
found in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and brainstem
causes pallor of substantia nigra
causes cerebral atrophy and Lewy bodies
describe functional impairment in dementia
associated impairment in social/occupational functioning
deficits in managing finances, driving, shopping, working, taking medications, keeping appointments
eventual problems with activities of daily living
rate and specific pattern of loss will vary by individual and somewhat by diagnosis
describe the onset of Alzheimer’s
gradual onset and progression affecting cognition, personality, behaviours and ADLs
what are the characteristics of Alzheimer’s
deficits in short-term memory ( rapid forgetting of new material), language, praxis, visuospatial, executive
what is the duration of Alzheimers
5-15 years
what are the symptoms of Alzheimers
gradual and steady decline
anosognosia (lack of recognition of disease)
depression in 1/3
delusions and hallucinations in 1/3
pathophysiology of Alzheimers
neuritic plaques (extracellular, abnormal insoluble amyloid protein)
neurofibrillary tangles (intracellular, disturbed tau-microtubule complexes, hyperphosphorylated tau)
cholinergic system degeneration with significant loss of neurons in certain areas (often begins in entorhinal cortex and progresses to other limbic structures)
what are the cognitive assessments used for alzheimers
structured multi-domain tests - ACE-III, MoCA, ECAS, MMSE, cantab mobile
domain-specific tests - verbal/category fluency, clock drawing, immediate recall