B1. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias Part II

Question 1

Give other examples of dementia ?

Answer 1

Fronto-temporal (damage in the frontal lobe)
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Vascular
Alzheimer’s

Question 2

How easy is it to diagnose frontotemporal dementia ?

Answer 2

Difficult to diagnose due to overlap with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrinia and psychosis

Question 3

What are the pathological hallmarks in frontotemporal dementia ?

Answer 3

Global cognitive impairment and moto deficits which are fatal with death occurring after -8 years after symptom onset

Question 4

What are the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia ?

Answer 4

• Progressive deterioration of behaviour with behavioural disinhibitions (such as lack in manners)
• Lack of sympathy and empathy
• Compulsive/ritualistic behaviour
• Dietary changes (eating inability objects and altered food preferences)

Question 5

What are the characteristics of frontotemporal dementia ?

Answer 5

Associated with early onset dementia (<65 yrs of age)

Question 6

What other medical conditions is the characteristics if dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) shared with?

Answer 6

Shared between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Question 7

What are the pathological hallmarks of DLBs?

Answer 7

Formation of Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein located within the brain stem, progressing to the lambic system and cerebral cortex

Question 8

What are the symptoms of DLB ?

Answer 8

• Dementia and delirium changes in cognition
• Visual hallucinations
• Rapid eye movement in sleep

Question 9

Is there an overlap of symptoms in DLBs with other psychiatric disorders ? Give examples

Answer 9

Visual hallucinations

Rapid eye movement

Question 10

What are the characteristics of vascular dementia ?

Answer 10

Related to age, genetic, atherosclerotic and struck related risk factors

Question 11

Are the pathological hallmarks of vascular dementia determined and why ?

Answer 11

No, due to variable cognitive impairment that is less sensitive to cognitive tests.

More complex

Question 12

What are the symptoms of vascular dementia ?

Answer 12

Varied memory impairment

Question 13

Do we have enough diagnostic tools and treatment options for vascular dementia diagnosis and treatment ?

Answer 13

No, variable cognitive impairment leads to hard diagnosis due to the overlaps in symptoms

Question 14

What are the mild clinical symptoms of AD?

Answer 14

Short term memory 
Impaired speech 
Depression 
Confusion 
Hallucinations

Question 15

What are the moderate clinical symptoms of AD?

Answer 15

Poor retention of memories
Effects in comprehension 
Reduced self care 
Psychosis 
Sleep disturbances

Question 16

What are the late clinical symptoms for AD ?

Answer 16

Loss of memory
Language 
Incontience 
Swallowing changes 
Diminished mobility 
Behavioural symptoms to the above

Question 17

What are the advanced clinical symptoms of AD?

Answer 17

Mute
Complete loss of memory function 
Unable to swallow 
Incontience
Mortality due to pneumonia 
Influenza 
Cardiac arrest 
Stroke 

Not many people live to the advanced stage