Alzheimer's disease Flashcards
What is Alzheimer’s disease (AD)?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia.
How is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) inherited
Most cases are sporadic
5% of cases are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait
What is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease?
Down’s syndrome
What are the microscopic changes in the brain of AD patients?
Cortical plaques due to deposition of type A-Beta-amyloid protein and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles caused by abnormal aggregation of the tau protein.
Hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein has been linked to AD
What are the macroscopic changes in the brain of AD patients?
Widespread cerebral atrophy, particularly involving the cortex and hippocampus
What is the role of tau protein in normal brains?
Tau is a protein that interacts with tubulin to stabilize microtubules and promote tubulin assembly into microtubules
In AD are tau proteins are excessively phosphorylated, impairing the function
How is AD diagnosed?
Diagnosis is via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT).
What are the first line pharmacological treatments available for AD.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine) as options for managing mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
When can donepezil not be used in AD?
When patienyt is bradycardiac.
What are the 2nd line pharmacological treatments available for AD.
Memantine (an NMDA receptor antagonist)
When is Memantine indicated in AD?
Moderate Alzheimer’s who cannot take acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Add-on drug to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for moderate or severe Alzheimer’s
Monotherapy in severe Alzheimer’s
