Cognitive Aging Pt 2 (Cognitive Impairment & Dementia) Flashcards
what is the scaffolding theory
combines ideas on how aging affects thr brain and how the brain compensates
what is deterioration of neural systems
aging causes brain systems to deteriorate, leading to cognitive decline
what is compensation regarding cognitive aging
the brain grows new connetions to maintain function despite deterioration
what enhances scaffolding
learning, training, engagement, and exercise help strengthen new brain connections
what is a common memory issue in normal aging related to conversations or events
not being able to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago
in normal aging, what is a common difficulty related to names
not being able to remember the name of an acquaintance
how often do people with normal aging forget things and events
occasionally
what occasional language difficulty might someone with normal aging expericence
occasionally having difficulty finding words
who is typically worries about memory in normal aging
your are worries about your memory, but your relatives are not
what is a common issue in dementia related to recent events or conversations
not being able to recall details of recent events or conversations
in dementia, what is common difficulty related to recognizing people
not recognizing or knowing the names of family members
what language difficulties might someone with dementia experience
frequent pauses and substitutions when finding words
whi is typically worries about memory in dementia
your relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems
what is dementia
a group of progressive neurodegenerative chronic diseases
how does cognitive function decline in dementia compare to normal aging
decreased cognitive funciton beyond normal age-related decline
what cognitive areas are affected by dementia
memory and learning, langauge, visuo-spatial abilities, executive function, and processing speed
how is dementia diagnosed
based on symptoms over time, including behavioural assessment and history
what are the main methods for diagnosing dementia
behavioural assessments and history
what should be included in the diagnosis of dementia
symptoms over time, including risk factors
what is a key concern in mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
concern about a change in cognition compared to that individual’s previous level
how many cognitive domain show low performance in MCI
evidence of low performance in one or more cognitive domains
does MCI significantly impact daily activities
no, it does not significantly impact daily activities
are individuals with MCI likely to develop dementia
yes, individuals with MCI are more likely to prgress to develop dementia
what is MCI considered in terms of progression to dementia
it is considered a ‘window’ in which it may be possible to delay progression to dementia
what are the first steps in diagnosing MCI and dementia
medical history and fall risk
what type of questionnarie is used to assess functional activities in MCI and dementia
functional activities questionnaire
what is an example of mental status examination used in diagnosing MCI and dementia
mini-mental state exam and mini cog
what is the prediction for dementia affecting individuals over 85 by 2050
affecting 1 in 3 individuals with Alzheimer’s being the most common
what is unique about Alzheimers among the top 10 causes of death worldwide
in the only one that we cannot prevent, cure, or successfully slow down, despite promising research
how is Alzheimer’s disease characterized
by progressive loss of cognitive function, most often memory loss, and abnormal changes in personality
where is the ciritcal loss of synapses most pronounced in Alzheimer’s disease
in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex
what accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease
Amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
what is the role of Amyloid precursor protein (APP)
involved in synaptic development, cell signalling, and neuronal plasticity
how is Beta-Amyloid protein produced
when enzymes cleave APP at the wrong place
what happens to Beta-Amylod proteins after they are produced
they misfold and stick to each other, forming plaques
what is the impact of Beta-Amyloid plaques on neurons
block communication at synapses and trigger an immune response, leading to neuron destruction
how is cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease related to plaques
the degree of cognitive impairment in AD is correlated with the number of plaques
what is neurofibrillary tangles
twisted fibers found inside brain cells, associated with AD
what is the role of Tau proteins in healthy neurons
embedded within the microtubules of neurons and acts as a stabilizing molecule
what happens to Tau peotein in AD
they become hyperphosphorylated, dissociates from microtubules, misfolds, and forms neurofibrillary tangles
what is the effect of neurofibrillary tangles on neurons
neurons with disintegrates microtubules die off
how does misfolded tau affect healthy neurons
spread across synpases and cause healthy tau to misfold
how do imflammatory responses contribute to neuron destruction in AD
microglia ctivated by plauqes and tangles release cytokines that attack neurons and phagocytize synapses, imacting transmission
what is the most accepted hypothesis for the pathogenesis of AD
the Amyloid Beta Hypothesis
how is cognitive impairment in AD diagnosed
through objective assessment and the presence of biomarkers
what cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are used in diagnosing AD
Abeta42, total tau and phosphorylated tau
what imaging techniques are used for Alzheimer’s diagnoses
MRI, fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan, Amyloid PET scan, and Tau PET can
how does the risk of AD change with age
risk doubles every 5 years after 60 YO
which gene is well-studied for increasing the risk of AD
APOE4 gene
what percentage of AD cases worlwide are attributed to modifiable factors
40%
name a modifiable risk factor for AD
- low education
- midlife hypertension
- midlife obesity
- insulin resistance
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- depression/social isolation
- excessive alchohol consumption
- traumatic brain injury
- air pollution
what is the relationship between cardiovascular health and AD
80% of people with AD also have CVD, with shared clinical and behavioural risk factors
what is the phrase that links hearts to brain health
“Whats good for the ehart is good for the brain”
what causes vascular cognitive impairment
reduced blood flow to the brain and/or cerebrovascular injury
how is vascular cognitive impairment diagnosed
cognitive deficit in at least 1 cognitive domain and imaging evidence of cerebrovascular disease
how does sleep impact AD
slow wave deep sleep is a power cleanse for the brain while poor sleep can increase amyloid beta deposits
what is the link between hearing loss and dementia
hearing loss can increase the likelihood of developing dementia due to isolation, the brain working harder to process sound, and fewer auditory signals
what is “Type 3 Diabetes”
insulin resistance and cognitive decline in AD
what impact does social isolation have on dementia risk
social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia
what can neural plasticity do for cognitive reserve
learning new things create new synapses, which helps buffer cognitive decline
what are the beefits of physical activity on cognitive health
regualr exercise decreases the rate of hippocampal volume decline and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and AD
what is the “Minds in Motion” program
a fitness and social program for people experiencing early symptopms of dementia, including a 45-minute fitness session and 1 hour of social activities
