Chapter 15: Neurocognitive Disorders

Question 1

Neurocognitive disorders

Answer 1

A category of psychological disorders in which the primary symptoms is significantly reduced cognitive abilities, relative to a prior level of functioning; also referred to as cognitive disorders

Question 2

Crystalized intelligence

Answer 2

A type of intelligence that relies on using knowledge to reason in familiar ways; such knowledgable has “crystallized” from previous experience

Question 3

Fluid intelligence

Answer 3

A type of intelligence that relies on the ability to create novel strategies to solve new problems, without relying solely on familiar approaches

Question 4

Stroke

Answer 4

The interruption of normal blood flow to or within the brain, which results in neuronal death

Question 5

Aphasia

Answer 5

A neurological condition characterized by problems in producing or comprehending language

Question 6

Broca’s aphasia

Answer 6

A neurological condition characterized by problems producing speech

Question 7

Wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 7

A neurological condition characterized by problems comprehending language and producing meaningful utterances

Question 8

Apraxia

Answer 8

A neurological condition characterized by problems in organizing and carrying out voluntary movements even though the muscles themselves are not impaired

Question 9

Delirium

Answer 9

A neurocognitive disorder characterized by a relatively sudden disturbance in attention and awareness as well as distruption of at least one other aspect of cognitive functions

Question 10

Dementia

Answer 10

A set of neurocognitive disorder characterized by deficits in learning new information or recalling information already learned plus at least one other type of cognitive impairment

Question 11

Mild neurocognitive disorder

Answer 11

A neurocognitive disorder characterized by a modest decline from baseline in at least one cognitive domain, but that decline is not enough to interfere with daily functioning

Question 12

Major neurocognitive disorder

Answer 12

A neurocognitive disorder characterized by evidence of a substantial decline in at least one cognitive domain, and impaired daily fucntining

Question 13

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 13

A medical condition in which the afflicted person initially has problem with both memory and executive function and which leads to progressive dementia

Question 14

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 14

The mass created by tau proteins that become twisted together and destroy microtubles, leaving the neuron without a distribution system for nutrients

Question 15

Amyloid plaques

Answer 15

Fragments of protein that accumulate on the outside surfaces of neurons, particularly neurons in the hippocampus

Question 16

Vascular dementia

Answer 16

A type of dementia caused by reduced or blocked blood supply to the brain, which arises from plaque buildup or blood clots

Question 17

Huntington’s disease

Answer 17

A progressive disease that kills neurons and affects cognition, emotion, and motor functions; it leads to dementia and eventually results in death

Question 18

Information processing speed

Answer 18

(cognitive deficit in late-life depression) slow to respond or initiate behavior; incomplete grasp of complex information

Question 19

Attention and concentration

Answer 19

(cognitive deficit in late-life depression) absentmindedness for daily activities, events, and appointments; tasks left incomplete; decreased attentiveness for reading or conversation

Question 20

Executive function

Answer 20

(cognitive deficit in late-life depression) difficulty with calculating, sequencing, multitasking, and novel problem solving; inflexible behavior or thinking

Question 21

Memory

Answer 21

(cognitive deficit in late-life depression) forgetfulness and absentmindedness, but should improve with prompts, cues, or memory aids