Alzheimer’s Disease

Question 1

What percentage of dementia is Alzheimer?

Answer 1

Dementia most common neurodegenerative condition; of which 60-70% of cases due to Alzheimer’s Disease

Question 2

What is Alzheimers disease?

Answer 2

Widespread cell death; characteristic intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques

Aβ theory dominant, but increasingly controversial

Progressive, irreversible, incurable; life expectancy 3-9 years.

Pharmacology to improve cognitive function (and slow progression?)

Question 3

What is the life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer?

Answer 3

Progressive, irreversible, incurable; life expectancy 3-9 years.

Patients won’t be able to maintain breathing ect with this condition which is what leads to death.

Question 4

AD & anticholinesterases

Answer 4

People with Alzheimer’s disease have low levels of acetylcholine in their brain. Enzymes called cholinesterases break down acetylcholine in the brain. If their action is inhibited, more acetylcholine is available for communication between brain cells.

Question 5

Types of cholinesterase inhibitor

Answer 5

Donepezil
Rivastigmine
Galantamine

Question 6

Memantine

Answer 6

Memantine works differently to the other drugs, and is known as an ‘NMDA receptor antagonist’.

Memantine
Memantine works differently from donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine. Glutamate is another chemical that helps to send messages between nerve cells in the brain. However, when nerve cells are damaged by Alzheimer’s disease, too much glutamate is produced. This causes more damage to the nerve cells. Memantine protects nerve cells by blocking the effects of too much glutamate.