Cognitive impairment and confused states Flashcards
What is confusion?
Not being able to think clearly.
What is cognition?
The mental processes involved in making sense of and learning about the world around us.
What type of cognition declines with age?
Fluid cognition
What is fluid cognition?
The ability to process new information to quickly solve problems.
At what age does fluid cognitive abilities start to decline?
20.
What is crystallised cognition?
Using cumulative skills and memories from cognition processing that has occurred in the past.
What problems may cause young adults to experience cognitive impairment?
Acute illness
Post-surgery
Sleep deprivation
Extreme exercise
Alcohol
Drugs
Depression
What is some key features of delirium?
Acute onset
Impairment of attention and awareness
Fluctuating
Often worse in the evening
What is delirium usually caused by?
Systemic illness
What type of delirium usually presents with agitation, pacing and aggression?
Hyperactive delirium.
What type of delirium usually presents with reduced movement, sleepiness and reduced appetite?
Hypoactive delirium.
What percentage of hospital inpatients suffer from delirium?
20%
Up to how many elderly inpatients are likely to suffer from delirium?
Up to half.
Years following a period of delirium, the risk of what condition increases?
Dementia.
What types of patients are as risk of delirium?
Older adults + young children
Multiple co-morbidities/frailty
Polypharmacy
Pre-existing cognitive impairment
Sensory impairment
How can delirium be prevented?
Prevent dehydration + constipation
Treat infections early
Maximise sleep
Encourage mobility
Manage pain
Ensure good nutrition
What term is used for a group of progressive, neurodegenerative brain disorders?
Dementia
Which cognitive condition is one of the main causes of disability later in life?
Dementia.
What are the main differences between delirium and dementia?
What are the main types of dementia?
Which three proteins unfolding are linked to dementia?
Amyloid
Tau
Synuclein
Which proteins are linked to Alzheimers?
Amyloid
Tau
Which protein is linked to Parkinsons/dementia with Lewy bodies?
Synuclein
Which protein is linked to frontotemporal dementia?
Tau
In particular cases, especially with young onset dementia, what procedure may be done to help with the diagnosis?
Lumbar puncture to test for presence of proteins.
What form of dementia is the most common?
Alzheimers.