Alzheimer's

Question 1

alzheimer disease progression

Answer 1

preclinical: changes in brain
mild cog impairment: mild symptoms, no change in daily life
dementia from mild AD: symptoms interfere with daily life
moderate AD: symptoms interfere with many ADLs
severe AD: symptoms interfere with most ADLs

Question 2

hallmark pathophys components of AD

Answer 2

tau tangles
alpha beta plaques
decreased ACh
increased glutamate
increased cholesterol in neurons
cerebrovascular pathologies

Question 3

s/s of AD

Answer 3

memory loss
mood changes
misplacing belongings
difficulty completing familiar tasks
confusion on time and place
social withdrawal
poor judgement
struggle to communicate
changes in vision

Question 4

med for mild/mod AD

Answer 4

cholinesterase inhibitor

Question 5

med for mod/severe AD

Answer 5

add memantine (anti glutamatergic) to cholinesterase inhibitor
slow cog decline

Question 6

cholinesterase inhibitors MOA

Answer 6

prevent ACh breakdown to increase ACh levels in brain and alleviate AD symptoms

Question 7

donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine MOA

Answer 7

reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to increase ACh

Question 8

memantine MOA

Answer 8

NMDA receptor antagonist to prevent Ca mediated excitotoxicity
block effect of glutamate

Question 9

aducanumab MOA

Answer 9

amyloid beta-directed antibody for AD
break up amyloid plaque

Question 10

med therapy for non cognitive AD symptoms

Answer 10

antipsychotics
benzos
anticonvulsants
SSRIs

Question 11

PT implications for AD

Answer 11

meds effect on cognitive function
monitor side effects
clear, simple communication
balance/coord issues
caregiver edu on meds