Alzheimer's disease Flashcards
The most common dementing illness in older adults?
Alzheimer’s disease
How many people over aged 65 are affected?
1 in 8
How many people over aged 85 are affected?
40%
Alternations on what chromosomes are linked to early onset? late-onset?
Early onset - chromosomes 1,14,21
Late onset - chromosome 19 APOE-e4
These are dense deposits of protein outside and around neurons. They are caused by inflammatory response.
Beta-amyloid plaques
Twisted fibers that build up inside the neuron from an abnormal tau protein.
Neurofibrillary tangles
Cholinergic neurons are involved in what and are located where?
Involved in learning and memory located in the basal forebrain innervating the cortex and hippocampus. Acetylcholine deficit.
What is the glutamate system important for, and what dose it mediated?
Important for learning and memory. mediates Calcium influx into neurons via NMDA receptor.
Excess intracellular calcium results in neuronal cell toxicity
Absence or impairment of the ability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs because of brain dysfunction.
Aphasia
Loss of comprehension of auditory, visual, or other sensations although the sensory sphere is intact
Agnosia
Inability to perform purposive movements although there is no senor or motor impairment.
Apraxia
MMSE scores and severity guideline
Mild >21
Moderate 10-20
Severe <9
What features does the MMSE look at?
orientation, registration, attention, calculation, recall, language
What are the 3 comorbidities?
hypothyroidism, b12 deficiency, depression
What drugs are used for mild-moderate alzheimer’s disease?
Cholinesterase inhibitors
donepezil (aricept)
rivastigmine (Exelon)
Galantamine (Razadyne)
