Alzheimer's Flashcards
1
Q
what are neurological degenerative disorders
A
- disease that progressively decline over decades
- a few are rapid (taking years)
2
Q
what is Dementia
A
- loss of ordered neural function
- d/t several unrelated disorders
3
Q
what is Alzheimers disease
A
progressive, irreversible dementia
4
Q
Alzheimer’s disease makes up about __% of all dementia
A
65%
5
Q
the prevalence of Alzheimers disease increases after
A
65 yrs
6
Q
Etiology of Alzheimers
A
- increasing age
- 90% idiopathic (sporadic form)
- 10% genetic (familial form)
7
Q
10% of Alzhimers genetic (familial form)
A
- if onset is at less than 65 yrs likely familial
- APP (amyeloid precursor protein) on Chr 21
- PS1 (presenilin 1) on Chr 14
- PS2 (presenilin 2) on Chr 1
- APOE on chr 19
8
Q
Mnfts of alzhimers grouped into ______
A
progressive stages over aprox 10 years
9
Q
alzihmers has ______ onset
A
insidious
10
Q
what are the stages of progression for Alzheimers
A
- Mild (2-4yrs)
- Moderate
- Severe
11
Q
Mild stage of Alzheimers (2-4 yrs)
A
- mnfts elusive for individual (others notice)
- loss of short term memory
- careless work habits
- mild personality changes
12
Q
Moderate stage of Alzheimers (2-10 yrs)
A
- also known as confusional stage
- previous mnfts continue and worsen
- decline in cogntion
- confusion
- depression (neurochemical changes)
- language problems: paraphasias= using words in wrong context ex. husband instead of wife, may use repetitive speech
- neglected hygiene
- some aggression
- problems with ADLS
13
Q
Severe stage of Alzheimers (2 yrs)
A
- severe mental impairment
- inability to respond to environment
- minimal to voluntary movement
- no self-care
- rigid, flexor, posturing
14
Q
Diagnosing Alzheimers
A
(by exclusion)
- no definitive test
- clinical presentation
- exclude dementia from other causes (ex. toxicity & stroke)
- labs (extensive) -essentially excluding other causes of dementia
- EEG (electroensiophgram - essentially like an XRAY of brain), CT (sectional images of brain), MRI
15
Q
Treatment of Alzhemiers
A
- no cure
- slow down progression & treat symptoms
- behavioral & environmental manipulations
