Alzheimers Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is Alzheimers Dementia?
A
A progressive denegerative disease of the brain - most common dementia in the UK
2
Q
What are the risk factors for Alzheimers?
A
- Advanced age
- Family history
- Genetics
- Down’s syndrome
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Hyperlipidaemia
3
Q
What is the pathophysiology of AD?
A
- Widespread cerebral atrophy, particularly of the cortex and hippocampus
- Senile plaques due to beta-amyloid protein deposition
- Neurofibrillary tangles (tau proteins are excessively phosphorylated which impairs function)
- Neuronal loss (deficit of acetylcholine)
4
Q
How does AD present?
A
- Memory decline with loss of recent memory first
- Disorientation to time and place
- Difficulty naming objects/people
- Misplacing items
- Apathy
- Decline in ADLs
- Personality changes
5
Q
What investigations should be done for AD?
A
- Full screening tests including FBC, Metabolic panel, TFT, B12, Urinalysis
- CT/MRI to exclude tumours, not many changes in early Alzheimer’s but more evidence as diseases progresses
6
Q
How should AD be managed?
A
Supportive education for patient and family
1st line: Donzepezil/Rivastigmine/Galantamine
For moderate-severe disease: Memantine
7
Q
When should donepezil not be used for treatment of AD?
A
Patients with bradycardia
