Behavior, Cortical Function and Dementia

Question 1

Short-Term Memory

Answer 1

Ability to recall information retained for several minutes

Question 2

Long-Term Memory

Answer 2

Memory of past events months to years ago

Question 3

What structures does memory depend upon?

Answer 3

• Temporal Lobe

- Thalamus

Question 4

What is the memory pathway?

Answer 4

Hippocampus -> Fornix -> Mammillary Body -> Anterior Thalamic Nucleus

Question 5

How does amnesia occur in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

Answer 5

Bilateral lesions occur to the thalamus and mammillary bodies

Question 6

How can anoxia or HSV encephalitic cause amnesia?

Answer 6

They can lead to bilateral hippocampal lesions

Question 7

Apraxia

Answer 7

Inability to conceptualize and perform a skilled, learned motor act on demand.

Question 8

Agnosia

Answer 8

Impaired recognition of stimuli due to lesions in the sensory association cortex

Question 9

Prefrontal/Frontal Lobe Syndrome

Answer 9

Listless, apathetic with poor hygiene, judgement and sexual behavior.

• Paratonia
• Frontal Lobe Release

Question 10

Paratonia (Gegenhalten)

Answer 10

Increased limb resistance felt with more rapid movements

Question 11

Frontal Lobe Release Signs

Answer 11

Snouting and rooting reflex are returned. Palmar and plantar grasp may be present.

Question 12

What are some of the syndromes of the temporal lobes?

Answer 12

• Amnesia with bilateral hippocampal lesions
• Deafness
• Kluver-Bucy

Question 13

What do lesions of the non dominant parietal lobe cause?

Answer 13

Impairment of the relationship of the body and its surroundings with the most extreme case being hemispatial neglect.

Question 14

What should be suspected in a younger patient with dementia?

Answer 14

HIV