Chapter 15 - Ageing and psychological disorders Flashcards
Cohort effect
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.
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive neurological disorder that is the most common form of dementia.
Dementia
Neurological disorder in which a gradual decline of intellectual functioning occurs.
Neuroimaging
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.
Computerised tomography (CT)
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.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Method of localising and measuring brain activity by detecting photons that result from the metabolisation of an injected isotope.
Meta-analysis
Statistical technique for summarising results across several studies.
Neurofibrillary tangles
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.
Neuritic plaques
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.
Vascular dementia
Type of dementia associated with symptoms of cerebrovascular disease (i.e., tissue damage in the brain due to a blockage of blood flow).
Stroke
Sudden damage to the brain due to a blockage of blood flow or haemorrhaging.
Aphasia
Impaired ability to produce or comprehend language.
Apraxia
Impaired ability to perform common voluntary behaviours.
Agnosia
Impaired ability to recognise objects or people.
Focal neurological symptoms
Symptoms (such as weakness or tingling in the extremities) whose causation can be localised to a specific anatomical site in the central nervous system.
Visual hallucination
Visual perception of something that is not actually present.
Neuroleptics
Drugs used to treat psychotic symptoms.
Telemedicine
Use of telecommunication technologies for the assessment, treatment, prevention and research of health issues.
Acetylcholine
Type of neurotransmitter that forms the cholinergic system in the central nervous system and contributes to movement, attention and arousal.
Dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)
Depressive disorder that is less severe than major depression but more chronic.
Anhedonia
Inability to experience pleasure from previously pleasurable activities.
Benzodiazepines
Drugs (such as Valium and Xanax) that reduce anxiety and insomnia.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
Type of psychological treatment that combines both cognitive and behavioural concepts and techniques.
Reminiscence therapy
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.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
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.
Normative data
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.
Hypertension
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).
Clinically significant
Meaning the disorder causes substantial impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning.
