Chapter 15 - Ageing and psychological disorders

Question 1

Cohort effect

Answer 1

An effect that occurs when people born in one historical period are at a different risk for a disorder that are people born in another historical period.

Question 2

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 2

A progressive neurological disorder that is the most common form of dementia.

Question 3

Dementia

Answer 3

Neurological disorder in which a gradual decline of intellectual functioning occurs.

Question 4

Neuroimaging

Answer 4

Range of techniques used to image the structure and/or functioning of the brain such as computerised tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Question 5

Computerised tomography (CT)

Answer 5

Method of analysing brain structure by passing narrow X-ray beams through an individual’s head from several angles to produce measurements from which a computer can construct an image of the brain.

Question 6

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 6

Method of localising and measuring brain activity by detecting photons that result from the metabolisation of an injected isotope.

Question 7

Meta-analysis

Answer 7

Statistical technique for summarising results across several studies.

Question 8

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 8

Twists or tangles of filaments within nerve cells, especially prominent in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, common in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 9

Neuritic plaques

Answer 9

Deposits of amyloid protein that accumulate in the extracellular spaces of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and other forebrain structures in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 10

Vascular dementia

Answer 10

Type of dementia associated with symptoms of cerebrovascular disease (i.e., tissue damage in the brain due to a blockage of blood flow).

Question 11

Stroke

Answer 11

Sudden damage to the brain due to a blockage of blood flow or haemorrhaging.

Question 12

Aphasia

Answer 12

Impaired ability to produce or comprehend language.

Question 13

Apraxia

Answer 13

Impaired ability to perform common voluntary behaviours.

Question 14

Agnosia

Answer 14

Impaired ability to recognise objects or people.

Question 15

Focal neurological symptoms

Answer 15

Symptoms (such as weakness or tingling in the extremities) whose causation can be localised to a specific anatomical site in the central nervous system.

Question 16

Visual hallucination

Answer 16

Visual perception of something that is not actually present.

Question 17

Neuroleptics

Answer 17

Drugs used to treat psychotic symptoms.

Question 18

Telemedicine

Answer 18

Use of telecommunication technologies for the assessment, treatment, prevention and research of health issues.

Question 19

Acetylcholine

Answer 19

Type of neurotransmitter that forms the cholinergic system in the central nervous system and contributes to movement, attention and arousal.

Question 20

Dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)

Answer 20

Depressive disorder that is less severe than major depression but more chronic.

Question 21

Anhedonia

Answer 21

Inability to experience pleasure from previously pleasurable activities.

Question 22

Benzodiazepines

Answer 22

Drugs (such as Valium and Xanax) that reduce anxiety and insomnia.

Question 23

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

Answer 23

Type of psychological treatment that combines both cognitive and behavioural concepts and techniques.

Question 24

Reminiscence therapy

Answer 24

An empirically based form of psychotherapy that involves discussing past activities, events and experiences, and used life hisories - written, oral or both - to improve psychological wellbeing; has been used in the treatment of older adults, particulary those with depression.

Question 25

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

Answer 25

Short-term psychological treatment originally developed by Gerald Klerman, Myrna Weissman and their colleagues for the treatment of depression; addresses the client’s interpersonal problems as a way of improving his/her psychological symptoms.

Question 26

Normative data

Answer 26

Average score obtained by the normative sample on any given measure against which an individual’s score can be compared so as to provide an objective, external standard of performance.

Question 27

Hypertension

Answer 27

Condition in which the blood supply through the blood vessels is excessive and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke (also known as high blood pressure).

Question 28

Clinically significant

Answer 28

Meaning the disorder causes substantial impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning.