CSI 4 Flashcards
what is mild cognitive impairment
when mental abilities e.g memory and thinking are slightly worse than normally expected at that age
what percentage of people aged above 65 have MCI
5-20%
What does MCI describe
a set of symptoms not a specific disease
what do people with MCI struggle with
MARVeL
Memory
Attention
Reasoning
Visual depth perception
Language
what can cause MCI
often caused by underlying illness
Pre-dementia
depression or anxiety
physical illness
poor eyesight or hearing
side effects of medicine
vitamin or thyroid deffeciency
what does MCI sometimes develop into
Dementia
Not everyone will get it but risk has increased
what is dementia
when there is severe deterioration in cognitive function beyond expected from normal ageing
what does dementia affect
memory
thinking
orientation
comprehension
calculation
learning capacity
language
judgement
what doesn’t dementia affect
consciousness
what are some side effects of dementia
lack of motivation and worsened emotional control
how do people develop dementia
results from variety of disease and injuries that have a direct or indirect affect the brain
what are the 3 stages for signs and symptoms of dementia
Early - gradual onset, often overlooked
Middle - symptoms become clearer and more restricting
Late - near total dependence and inactivity, memory disturbances are serious, physical signs more obvious
what are the signs and symptoms in early stage of dementia
forgetfulness
losing track of time
becoming lost in familiar places
what are the signs and symptoms in middle stage of dementia
forgetting recent events
becoming lost at home
increased difficulty with communicating
needing help with personal care
experiencing behaviour changes
wandering and repeating questions
what are the signs and symptoms in late stage of dementia
unaware of time and place
difficulty recognising relatives and friends
need for assisted self care
difficulty walking
behavioural changes escalate including aggression
what are the 4 different types of dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
vascular dementia
lewy body dementia
frontotemporal dementia
what are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Mainly memory loss and confusion
Onset is gradual with deterioration over time
More likely to retain long term memory
Can be treated by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine
what are the signs or symptoms of vascular dementia
Impaired motor function
Problems with speech
Memory loss
Disorientation
Stepwise progression with deterioration over time
Cardiovascular disease medications can slow progression
what are the signs or symptoms of lewy body dementia
Sleep problems
Memory loss
visual hallucinations
lewy bodies found in nerve cell
Can be treated by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
what are the signs or symptoms of frontotemporal dementia
Communication and speech problems
Behavioural changes
Emotional problems
what is the pathology or imaging of Alzheimer’s disease
generalised brain atrophy
Extracellular amyloid plaques
neurofibrillary tangles
what is the pathology or imaging of vascular dementia
strokes
Multiple infarcts in minor blood vessels in brain
Usually traced back to cardiovascular disorders
what is the pathology or imaging of Lewy body dementia
generalised atrophy
lewy bodies in primary motor cortex nerve cells
what is the pathology or imaging of frontotemporal dementia
frontal and temporal nerve cell death due to abnormal proteins present in them.
Linked to genetics
what is the cerebral cortex of the brain split into
frontal lobe
parietal lobe
temporal lobe
occipital lobe
how can you prevent or slow down progression of dementia
increased physical activity
not smoking or drinking
Mediterranean diet
no obesity
social engagement
stimulating brain through puzzles
what are some post-diagnostic interventions
drug treatment to slow down progression
cognitive training, stimulation and rehabilitation
physical exercise
improving safety at home, grab rails and no tripping hazards
Who is part of a multidisciplinary team
Dementia social worker
Dietician
Carers
Occupational therapists
Consultant
Physiotherapist
What makes a patient capable of making a decision
The ability to use and understand information to make a decision and communicate any decision made
Who does the Mental Capacity Act apply to
Anyone over the age of 16
What is the process of deciding if a patient lacks capacity
Two doctors independently assess a patient and both must agree they lack capacity.
If they do then the medical staff should choose the least restrictive option for a patient
What are some patients options before losing capacity
Advance statement - non legal list of preferences
Advance decision - legally binding list of medical treatment that a patient refuses to have
Legal power of attorney - allows another person to make decisions for them if they lose capacity
What is the posterior cinglulate cortex responsible for
Orientation
What is the hippocampus responsible for
Short term memory
What is the thalamus responsible for
Attention
