Alzheimer's Disease Flashcards
How many people currently have Alzheimer’s disease? Population affected the most?
- About 6 million (1 out of every 8 people)
- Women account for 2/3
(6 leading cause of death)
Delirium signs and symptoms (4)
- Impaired consciousness & attention
- Acute onset
- Fluctuating cognitive function (hours or days)
- Alterations in sleep
(Often confused for dementia. Different, but often occur together. Look for underlying cause.)
Define dementia
Acquired syndrome of decline in memory and other cognitive functions that affect daily life of an alert patient.
(neurodegenerative)
Dementia is ______ and ______.
- Progressive
- disabling
(neurodegenerative)
6 examples of typical expected decline with cognition during the aging process (these are not signs of dementia).
- Speed of processing and nonverbal intelligence
- Learning and recall ability
- Multitasking
- Additional time needed to complete executive tasks
- Reaction Time increases
- Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon
What’s the DSM V criteria for evidence of significant cognitive decline from previous level of performance (dementia)?
- Complex attention
- Executive function
- Language
- Learning / memory
- Motor perception
- Social cognition
(one or more)
Cognitive deficits that interfere with independence in everyday activities (2 categories).
- ADLs: dress, shower, toilet
- iADLs: instrumental activities; things you would do on your own or with help (ex: Transportation, cleaning, finances)
(cognitive deficits are not related to delirium and are not explained by a mental disorder i.e. schizophrenia, ADD)
What are the three major risk factors for dementia?
(Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal, Lewy Body Dementia and vascular dementia)
- Age
- Family history (1st degree relative)
- Down syndrome
In addition to age, family history and down syndrome what is the genetic risk factor for development of dementia?
- APP
- PS1 & 2
- APOE4 allele
What are some possible (not definitive) preventative measures for dementia?
- NSAIDs
- Antioxidants
- Level of education and cognition required for work
- Exercise
- Statins
- APOE2*** allele (APOE_4_ allele is a ***risk factor)
What is the most common gene that is related to late onset Alzheimer’s disease?
APOE4 gene, chromo. 19
(3 different alleles types 2/3/4, APOE2 = protective)
What is the genetic predisposition for early onset Alzheimer’s disease (before 60 y.o.)?
- APP
- PS1 & PS2 (presenilin)
(APOE4 is a risk factor for Late AD)
When evaluating a patient for the different types of dementia, what are important pieces of information to gather from a family member?
- Onset
- Family history of dementia
- Injuries or Falls
- Substance abuse
- History of depression
- Weakness
- Gait changes
- Medications
- Behavior
- Functionality and ADLs & iADLs
Which tests are included in the mental status exam for the different types of Alzheimer’s (5)?
- MOCA (Montreal Cog)
- Mini COG
- MSSE (mini mental state)
- SLUMs (St. Louis U. Mental Status)
- Depression Scale (always needed to r/o a MDD)
How would you evaluate a patient for different types of dementia with a Mini Cog exam?
Repeat and remember a chain of words→ draw a clock→ repeat words
(give 3 minutes in between)
How do you score a Mini Cog exam?
- One point for each recalled word (up to 3)
- Two points for normal clock drawing (0 for ab)
(0-2 points = positive for dementia)
Which items are included on the mini mental state exam (5)?
- Orientation
- Registration
- Attention & Calculation
- Recall
- Language
(unique to MMSE)
Which items are included on the MoCA exam (8)
- Visuospatial/executive
- Naming
- Memory
- Abstraction
- Attention
- Language
- Delayed Recall
(her fav; must have at least 8th grade edu. Unique to MoCA)