Chapter 22 - Alzheimer's Disease

Question 1

Alzheimer’s Disease - def

Answer 1

devastating illness characterized by progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, personality change, and inability to perform routine tasks of daily living.

Question 2

The neural damage in AD is ___.

Answer 2

irreversible.

Question 3

Symptoms of AD -

Answer 3

progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, and personality changes.

Question 4

Where does AD start and where does it progress to?

Answer 4

It starts in the hippocampus and goes to the cerebral cortex.

Question 5

With advanced AD, the ACH levels are __ below normal. (How much?)

Answer 5

90%

Question 6

Neuritic Plaques - def

Answer 6

form outside neurons - spherical bodies that are composed of beta-amyloid (may help to destroy neurons) and are also remnants of axons and dendrites.

Question 7

What does beta-amyloid do?

Answer 7

Kills hippocampal cells, can release free radicals, can disrupt potassium and calcium channels in cell membranes, can cause vasoconstriction, blood vessel injury, and leads to “starvation” of neurons and neuron cell death.

Question 8

Neurofibrillary Tangles - where/what/etc.

Answer 8

tangles form inside neurons in cerebral cortex, and cause production of abnormal form of tau, a protein that forms cross-bridges between microtubules and keeps them in stable configuration.

Question 9

Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE) - def

Answer 9

role in cholesterol transport, e$ associated with AD but e2 is protective.

Question 10

What are some risk factors for AD?

Answer 10

Advancing age and family history.

Question 11

How do we diagnose AD?!

Answer 11

Well, we really can’t, it can only be done during autopsy!

Question 12

Drug therapy for AD - 3

Answer 12

Tacrine (Cognex) and Donepezil (Aricept.) Can also use a cholinesterase inhibitor.