alzheimers Flashcards
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia associated with a progressive decline in brain function, affecting memory, thinking skills, and other mental abilities.
What are the common causes of Alzheimer’s disease?
The exact cause of dementia is unknown, but Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by abnormal build-up of proteins called amyloid and tau proteins in and around brain cells. Other risk factors include increasing age, Down syndrome, family history, cardiovascular disease, and untreated depression.
What is the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in society?
Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people over the age of 65, affecting an estimated 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people over the age of 80.
What are the common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Symptoms of dementia are divided into three stages, including early-stage symptoms, middle-stage symptoms, and later-stage symptoms. Early-stage symptoms include memory relapse, misplacing items, poor judgment, mood changes, etc. Middle-stage symptoms include difficulty in remembering names, hallucinations, aphasia, disorientation, etc. Later-stage symptoms include dysphagia, urinary and bowel incontinence, weight loss, etc.
What therapeutic classes of drugs are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease?
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antidepressants are used to treat and control Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the recommended order of drug use for Alzheimer’s disease?
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the first line of treatment, and memantine hydrochloride may be used if ACHE inhibitors are contraindicated.
How do acetylcholinesterase inhibitors work?
Galantamine, a type of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, competitively and reversibly inhibits the anticholinesterase enzyme in the CNS, thereby enhancing ACh levels in the synaptic cleft.
How do antidepressants work in treating Alzheimer’s disease?
Antidepressants work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine.
What is early- or young-onset Alzheimer’s disease?
Early- or young-onset Alzheimer’s disease affects people aged 40 to 65.
What are the recommended lifestyle changes to help manage Alzheimer’s disease?
Stopping smoking, being more active, reducing alcohol consumption, improving diet, and maintaining a healthy weight may help.
