Alzheimer’s disease Flashcards
Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) is a progressive, irreversible, chronic degeneration of the cells of the brain. Gradual losses in cognitive function, behavioral disturbances, & intellectual functioning
Is AD an important part of aging?
AD in not an important part of aging.
What factors contribute to AD?
-genetics
-neurotransmitter
changes
-vascular abnormalities
-stress hormones
-circadian changes
-head trauma
-the presence of seizure disorders
Declarative episodic memory
Declarative episodic memory: memory of events occurring at particular time & place.
Declarative episodic memory in AD.
- Immediate recall (mental rehearsal of a phone number) – ok early on
- Memory of more distant events – ok early on
- Memory for recent events– impaired early (can’t tell what they had for dinner that night)
Semantic memory
memory for facts such as vocabulary & concepts
Semantic Memory in AD
impaired later on. Example: can’t hold a conversation
Procedural Memory
is a type of long-term memory involving how to perform different particular types of tasks without conscious awareness. Ex: walking combing hair.
Procedural Memory in AD
impaired only in late stage.
Symptoms of AD
Early in the diseasse there is forgetfulness and subtle memory loss. The patient gets lost in a familiar envitonment or repeats the same stories.
Conversation becomes difficult, and word-finding difficulties
occur.
Ability to formulate concepts and think abstractly disap-
pears.
Patient may exhibit inappropriate impulsive behavior.
Personality changes are evident; patient may become
depressed, suspicious, paranoid, hostile, and combative.
Speaking skills deteriorate to nonsense syllables; agitation
and physical activity increase.
Voracious appetite may develop from high activity level;
dysphagia is noted with disease progression.
Eventually patient requires help with all aspects of daily liv-
ing, including toileting because incontinence occurs.
Terminal stage may last for months or years.
AD treatment relies on managing cognitive symptoms.
True or False?
There is no cure or way to slow progression. Cholinesterase inhibitors which enhances actetylcholine uptake in the brain.
Donzepezil
is a cholinesterase inhibitors. It which breaks up cholinesterase enzymes. Which increases the action and duration of acetylcholine (ACh) to alleviate symptoms.
Must be taken at night
Planning and Goals for AD
Cognitive function
physical safety, reduced anxiety and agitation,
adequate nutrition, improved communication, activity tol-
erance, self-care, socialization, and support and education
of caregivers.
