Cognitive Aging Pt 2 (Cognitive Impairment & Dementia)

Question 1

what is the scaffolding theory

Answer 1

combines ideas on how aging affects thr brain and how the brain compensates

Question 2

what is deterioration of neural systems

Answer 2

aging causes brain systems to deteriorate, leading to cognitive decline

Question 3

what is compensation regarding cognitive aging

Answer 3

the brain grows new connetions to maintain function despite deterioration

Question 4

what enhances scaffolding

Answer 4

learning, training, engagement, and exercise help strengthen new brain connections

Question 5

what is a common memory issue in normal aging related to conversations or events

Answer 5

not being able to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago

Question 6

in normal aging, what is a common difficulty related to names

Answer 6

not being able to remember the name of an acquaintance

Question 7

how often do people with normal aging forget things and events

Answer 7

occasionally

Question 8

what occasional language difficulty might someone with normal aging expericence

Answer 8

occasionally having difficulty finding words

Question 9

who is typically worries about memory in normal aging

Answer 9

your are worries about your memory, but your relatives are not

Question 10

what is a common issue in dementia related to recent events or conversations

Answer 10

not being able to recall details of recent events or conversations

Question 11

in dementia, what is common difficulty related to recognizing people

Answer 11

not recognizing or knowing the names of family members

Question 12

what language difficulties might someone with dementia experience

Answer 12

frequent pauses and substitutions when finding words

Question 13

whi is typically worries about memory in dementia

Answer 13

your relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems

Question 14

what is dementia

Answer 14

a group of progressive neurodegenerative chronic diseases

Question 15

how does cognitive function decline in dementia compare to normal aging

Answer 15

decreased cognitive funciton beyond normal age-related decline

Question 16

what cognitive areas are affected by dementia

Answer 16

memory and learning, langauge, visuo-spatial abilities, executive function, and processing speed

Question 17

how is dementia diagnosed

Answer 17

based on symptoms over time, including behavioural assessment and history

Question 18

what are the main methods for diagnosing dementia

Answer 18

behavioural assessments and history

Question 19

what should be included in the diagnosis of dementia

Answer 19

symptoms over time, including risk factors

Question 20

what is a key concern in mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Answer 20

concern about a change in cognition compared to that individual’s previous level

Question 21

how many cognitive domain show low performance in MCI

Answer 21

evidence of low performance in one or more cognitive domains

Question 22

does MCI significantly impact daily activities

Answer 22

no, it does not significantly impact daily activities

Question 23

are individuals with MCI likely to develop dementia

Answer 23

yes, individuals with MCI are more likely to prgress to develop dementia

Question 24

what is MCI considered in terms of progression to dementia

Answer 24

it is considered a ‘window’ in which it may be possible to delay progression to dementia

Question 25

what are the first steps in diagnosing MCI and dementia

Answer 25

medical history and fall risk

Question 26

what type of questionnarie is used to assess functional activities in MCI and dementia

Answer 26

functional activities questionnaire

Question 27

what is an example of mental status examination used in diagnosing MCI and dementia

Answer 27

mini-mental state exam and mini cog

Question 28

what is the prediction for dementia affecting individuals over 85 by 2050

Answer 28

affecting 1 in 3 individuals with Alzheimer's being the most common

Question 29

what is unique about Alzheimers among the top 10 causes of death worldwide

Answer 29

in the only one that we cannot prevent, cure, or successfully slow down, despite promising research

Question 30

how is Alzheimer's disease characterized

Answer 30

by progressive loss of cognitive function, most often memory loss, and abnormal changes in personality

Question 31

where is the ciritcal loss of synapses most pronounced in Alzheimer's disease

Answer 31

in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex

Question 32

what accumulates in the brain in Alzheimer's disease

Answer 32

Amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Question 33

what is the role of Amyloid precursor protein (APP)

Answer 33

involved in synaptic development, cell signalling, and neuronal plasticity

Question 34

how is Beta-Amyloid protein produced

Answer 34

when enzymes cleave APP at the wrong place

Question 35

what happens to Beta-Amylod proteins after they are produced

Answer 35

they misfold and stick to each other, forming plaques

Question 36

what is the impact of Beta-Amyloid plaques on neurons

Answer 36

block communication at synapses and trigger an immune response, leading to neuron destruction

Question 37

how is cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease related to plaques

Answer 37

the degree of cognitive impairment in AD is correlated with the number of plaques

Question 38

what is neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 38

twisted fibers found inside brain cells, associated with AD

Question 39

what is the role of Tau proteins in healthy neurons

Answer 39

embedded within the microtubules of neurons and acts as a stabilizing molecule

Question 40

what happens to Tau peotein in AD

Answer 40

they become hyperphosphorylated, dissociates from microtubules, misfolds, and forms neurofibrillary tangles

Question 41

what is the effect of neurofibrillary tangles on neurons

Answer 41

neurons with disintegrates microtubules die off

Question 42

how does misfolded tau affect healthy neurons

Answer 42

spread across synpases and cause healthy tau to misfold

Question 43

how do imflammatory responses contribute to neuron destruction in AD

Answer 43

microglia ctivated by plauqes and tangles release cytokines that attack neurons and phagocytize synapses, imacting transmission

Question 44

what is the most accepted hypothesis for the pathogenesis of AD

Answer 44

the Amyloid Beta Hypothesis

Question 45

how is cognitive impairment in AD diagnosed

Answer 45

through objective assessment and the presence of biomarkers

Question 46

what cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are used in diagnosing AD

Answer 46

Abeta42, total tau and phosphorylated tau

Question 47

what imaging techniques are used for Alzheimer's diagnoses

Answer 47

MRI, fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan, Amyloid PET scan, and Tau PET can

Question 48

how does the risk of AD change with age

Answer 48

risk doubles every 5 years after 60 YO

Question 49

which gene is well-studied for increasing the risk of AD

Answer 49

APOE4 gene

Question 50

what percentage of AD cases worlwide are attributed to modifiable factors

Answer 50

40%

Question 51

name a modifiable risk factor for AD

Answer 51

- low education - midlife hypertension - midlife obesity - insulin resistance - physical inactivity - smoking - depression/social isolation - excessive alchohol consumption - traumatic brain injury - air pollution

Question 52

what is the relationship between cardiovascular health and AD

Answer 52

80% of people with AD also have CVD, with shared clinical and behavioural risk factors

Question 53

what is the phrase that links hearts to brain health

Answer 53

"Whats good for the ehart is good for the brain"

Question 54

what causes vascular cognitive impairment

Answer 54

reduced blood flow to the brain and/or cerebrovascular injury

Question 55

how is vascular cognitive impairment diagnosed

Answer 55

cognitive deficit in at least 1 cognitive domain and imaging evidence of cerebrovascular disease

Question 56

how does sleep impact AD

Answer 56

slow wave deep sleep is a power cleanse for the brain while poor sleep can increase amyloid beta deposits

Question 57

what is the link between hearing loss and dementia

Answer 57

hearing loss can increase the likelihood of developing dementia due to isolation, the brain working harder to process sound, and fewer auditory signals

Question 58

what is "Type 3 Diabetes"

Answer 58

insulin resistance and cognitive decline in AD

Question 59

what impact does social isolation have on dementia risk

Answer 59

social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia

Question 60

what can neural plasticity do for cognitive reserve

Answer 60

learning new things create new synapses, which helps buffer cognitive decline

Question 61

what are the beefits of physical activity on cognitive health

Answer 61

regualr exercise decreases the rate of hippocampal volume decline and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and AD

Question 62

what is the "Minds in Motion" program

Answer 62

a fitness and social program for people experiencing early symptopms of dementia, including a 45-minute fitness session and 1 hour of social activities