Alzheimer's Flashcards
1
Q
mechanism of disease
A
cerebral cortex shrinks and dies off; loss of cholinergic nerves
lose STM, LTM, then manifests to a psychosis similar to schizophrenia
no medication slows or disables dz progression
2
Q
drugs within the class
A
donepezil memantine atypical antipsychotics (SGAs)
3
Q
donepezil
A
increases aceytylcholine levels to improve remaining cholinergic nerve output
side effects:
GI discomfort - common
bradychardia - rare
4
Q
memantine
A
regulates glutamate for moderate and severe stages of dz
too much glutamate = nephrotoxic
5
Q
SGA use for dz
A
treat psychiatric sx, but increase pt mortality
