ch. 12: cortical dementias Flashcards
What are common myths about aging and cognition?
Memory and intelligence decline drastically, learning becomes more difficult, and nothing can counteract these deficits (all myths).
What types of memory decline with age?
Episodic memory, free recall, and nonverbal memory (fluid intelligence).
What types of memory remain stable with age?
Semantic memory, short-term memory, long-term memory, and recognition memory.
What is the main cause of memory decline with aging - retention or retrieval?
Retrieval issues, not retention
What type of intelligence declines with age?
Fluid intelligence (problem-solving, speeded thinking)
What type of intelligence is spared with age?
Crystallized intelligence (facts, memory, and semantic memory)
Name three ways to slow cognitive decline.
Exercise, a healthy diet, and continued education.
How does an enriched environment help reduce cognitive decline?
Activities like reading, traveling, and engaging in cultural activities stimulate the brain.
What is dementia?
A decline in cognitive abilities that interferes with daily living (ADLs and IADLs)
What is the difference between ADLs and IADLs?
- ADLs: basic tasks (bathing, dressing, eating)
- IADLs: higher cognitive tasks (managing money, medication, cooking)
How is dementia diagnosed?
Significant cognitive decline in one or more domains that interferes with independence, not caused by delirium or psychiatric disorders.
Name two cortical dementias.
Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.
Name two subcortical dementias.
Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
What are two mixed dementias?
Vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Is Alzheimer’s disease reversible?
No, it is irreversible and progressive.
What are the hallmark pathological features of AD?
Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
What is the greatest risk factor for AD?
age (especially over 60)
What genes are associated with early-onset AD?
Chromosomes 1, 14, and 21.
What gene is associated with late-onset AD?
APOE gene on chromosome 19.
What are the two major toxic processes in AD?
Amyloid-beta accumulation and tau protein misfolding.
What happens to microtubules in AD?
Tau protein misfolding leads to neurofibrillary tangles, disrupting neuronal transport.
Name three newer theories of AD pathology.
Glutamate dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress.
What type of memory is most impaired in early AD?
Delayed episodic recall.
How does language change in AD?
Early anomic aphasia (word-finding difficulty), later comprehension problems and reduced conversation fluency.
What is one of the earliest signs of visual-spatial deficits in AD?
Difficulty drawing a clock or navigating familiar spaces.
How does attention change in AD?
Simple attention is intact until later stages, but complex attention declines early.
How is executive function affected in AD?
Disorganization, task incompletion, repetition, loss of problem-solving skills.
What is the only definitive way to diagnose AD?
Brain biopsy (post-mortem)
How often should cognitive assessments be done for AD?
Every 9-12 months.
What medications are used to treat AD?
Cholinesterase inhibitors (help memory) and Memantine (prevents premature cell death).
Are cognitive exercises helpful in late-stage AD?
No, they are only useful in early stages.
What is a major challenge for caregivers of AD patients?
Ensuring safety and managing behavioral changes.
