Block 4 Lecture 5 -- Dementia and AD Flashcards
What is the function of the normal prion protein (PrPC)?
membrane protein; no further function known
How does a PrPC become pathogenic?
misfolding
- insoluble and protease-resistant
- induces more misfolding other membrane glycoproteins
What is scrapie:
neurodegenerative disease in sheep, goats
What is the usual cause of CJD?
90% due to spontaneous PrPC mutation, not prion consumption
What is kuru?
another neurodegenerative, prion disease in New Guinea
What is chronic wasting diseaes?
TSE in deer, elk, squirrel, and mink
What is the most common cause of dementia in people 65+?
AD
What are the types of AD?
1) early onset (before 65)
- - most severe and rapidly progressing
2) late onset
What is MCI?
mild cognitive impairment
- possible indicator of Pre-Alzheimer’s condition
- “prodromal dementia”
- reversible, or stable
What are the signs/symptoms of MCI?
1) measurable cognitive difficulties
- - does not adversely affect QoL, as some cognitive domains remain intact
- - not enough for dx of dementia
2) reduced number of synapses
What causes vascular dementia?
repeated mini-strokes or atherosclerosis
What is the prognosis for MCI?
stable or reversible can progress to: -- AD -- other dementias -- vascular dementias -- mixed conditions
What are the risk factors for AD?
1) age, female, small head circumference, low level of education
2) chronic traumatic encephalopathy (TBI)
3) down syndrome
4) genetics
- - 10% of cases
- - 50% of early-onset
What symptoms in mild AD?
mood, memory, personality
What symptoms in moderate AD?
long-term memory
wandering, confusion, aggression
What symptoms in severe AD?
motor disturbances
bedridden
What are the stages of AD?
mild, moderate, severe
How is AD diagnosed?
dementia AND histological evaluation of POST-MORTEM brain
– need to r/o other possibilities first