Alzheimers disease Flashcards
What is the cause of Alzheimers disease?
Beta amyloid deposition and a loss of dopamine
Reduction in acetylcholine
It leads to a temporal-parietal dementia
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimers disease
What are the risk factors for Alzheimers disease?
Increasing age
Family history
Untreated depression
Cardiovascular disease
What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimers disease?
Amnesia (recent memory loss first)
Aphasia (word finding problems, speech muddled or disjointed)
Agnosia (recognition problems)
Apraxia (inability to carry out normal tasks despite normal motor function)
*Personality is usually reserved until later
How much Alzheimers disease is sporadic?
90-95%
How much Alzheimers disease is familial?
5-10%
What is a genetic cause of Alzheimers disease?
Trisomy 21
How is Alzheimers disease diagnosed?
Its usually only diagnosed by clinical symptoms
Only official diagnosis is by brain biopsy after patient has died
What is a common problem seen in Alzheimers disease?
REM sleep loss (REM sleep is needed for memory)
What is the most common cause of death?
Infection
What is the treatment for Alzheimers?
Donezepil
Galantamine
Rivastigimine
ACE inhibitors
How long must symptoms be present before diagnosing any type of dementia?
6 months
What are the 2 types of dysphasia?
Expressive - struggling to express themselves
Receptive - struggling to understand what people are saying
What does there need to be to diagnose dementia?
Along with cognitive function there should be functional impairment - getting washed, dressed, cooking etc.
What should be done considering driving?
DVLA should be informed
Patient should be reassessed every year
