Alzheimers Flashcards
Define: alzheimer’s disease
type of dementia characterised by the gradual widespread degeneration of brain neurons, causing memory loss, a decline in cognitive and social skills, and personality changes.
What type of memory loss does alzheimer’s disease cause?
Retrograde and anterograde amnesia
How is alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?
Only after death, in an autopsy involving microscopic examination of brain tissue.
How can we infer that a live person has alzheimers?
Assessments of their memory, cognitive and social skills (input from family, carers)
Is there a cure for alzheimer’s disease?
No
How can symptoms of alzheimers be managed?
Taking medications to boost acetylcholine levels
Taking medications to ease secondary symptoms (eg. depression)
4 changes to brain structure in alzheimers?
Significantly reduced acetylcholine levels
Death of neurons
Neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques
What happens to the brain as a result of neuron death?
Atrophied (shrivelled and shrunken) cortical areas
WHat might cause neuron death; where does it start?
the 2 abnormal structures; starts in the hippocampus.
Why are there greatly reduced acetylcholine levels?
Because the 2 abnormal structures might destroy acetylcholine producing neurons
How are amyloid plaques formed?
• Accumulation of protein beta amyloid (in insoluble form) which form plaques around and outside the neuron
Effect of amyloid plauqes?
Inhibits communication between neurons
how are neurofibrillary tangles formed?
• Accumulation of protein tau (in insoluble form) causes twisted fibres within the neuron.
effect of neurofibrillary tanges?
• Inhibits transport of substances from one part of the cell to another, associated with neuron death.
