Alzheimer's Flashcards
1
Q
alzheimer’s
A
progressive disease
acetylcholine involved
2
Q
neurofibrillary tangles
A
threadlike tangles of protein in neurons cytoplasm
3
Q
amyloid plaques
A
clumps of scar tissue composed of degenerating neurons
4
Q
neuron loss
A
neurons die
5
Q
where is it present?
A
medial temporal lobe structures (amygdala, hippocampus) and temporal cortex
6
Q
cerebral cortex
A
shrinks
7
Q
microbleeds
A
microhemorrhages
8
Q
hippocampus
A
shrinks
9
Q
ventricles
A
enlarged
10
Q
acetylcholine
A
lower levels
11
Q
genetic component
A
50% heritability estimate
3 genes - early onset Alz
15 genes - normal Alz
12
Q
amyloid hypothesis
A
amyloid plaques begin the whole degeneration
13
Q
transgenetic mice
A
gene mutations producing amyloid plaques
also neuron loss and degeneration
memory loss and disturbances
no neurofibrillary tracts though
