Alzheimers disease

Question 1

describe the prevalence of Alzheimers disease

Answer 1

1% risk at age 60, doubles every 5 years

Question 2

give some risk factors for Alzheimers disease

Answer 2

down syndrome
previous head injury
hypothyroidism
family hx of Down syndrome, Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimers

Question 3

give some protective factors against Alzheimers disease

Answer 3

smoking
oestrogen
NSAIDs
vitamin E
higher education

Question 4

describe the two pathophysiological features of Alzheimers disease

Answer 4

amyloid plaques

neurofibrillary tangles

Question 5

what are neurofibrillary tangles and what are they made of

Answer 5

phosphorylated tau protein and are found in the cortex, hippocampus and substantial migrants

Question 6

what time of day are symptoms worst

Answer 6

night

Question 7

describe some of the psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimers disease

Answer 7

delusions
auditory/visual hallucinations
depression

Question 8

how does personality change with Alzheimers disease

Answer 8

exaggeration of normal personality traits

Question 9

what would you see on CT scan of a patient with Alzheimers disease

Answer 9

cortical atrophy especially over parietal and temporal lobes

ventricular enlargement

Question 10

what would you see on MRI of a patient with Alzheimers disease

Answer 10

atrophy of grey matter

Question 11

what is first line therapy for people with mild-moderate disease

Answer 11

donepezil
galantamine
rivastigmine

(acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors)

Question 12

give three acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors

Answer 12

donepezil
galantamine
rivastigmine

Question 13

what type of drug is first line for severe disease

Answer 13

memantine

Question 14

what type of drug is memantine

Answer 14

NMDA partial agonist