Dementia Flashcards
What is Alzheimer’s
Neurodegenerative disorder leading to memory loss and lost neurological function
What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s
Down’s syndrome
APOE E4 Allele
Depression and loneliness
What are the clinical features for Alzheimer’s (4A’s)
Amnesia (no memory)
Aphasia (no words)
Agnosia (no recognition)
Apraxia (no skills)
What is the pathology of Alzheimer’s
Beta amyloid deposition (Broken down APP)
Tau protein tangle in cerebral cortex
Cortical scarring/Atrophy
Low Ach neurotransmitter
How can you investigate Alzheimer’s
MMSE (Cognitive function test) <17/30
Memory assessment
Brain MRI - Cortcal atrophy
How can you manage Alzheimer’s
Supportive therapy and exercise
Achase Inhibitor (Donepazil and Rivastigmine)
Donepazil (Achase-1)
What is vascular dementia
Cerebrovascular damage causing stepwise decline
What is the main difference between vascular and alzheimers
alzheimers = steady cognitive decline Vascular = Stepwise cognitive decline
How does Vascular dementia present
UMN signs and cognitive decline w/Hx of TIA/Stroke
What is Lewy Body dementia
Synuclein and ubiquitin aggregation in cortex
What neurological disorder is Lewy Body associated with
Parkinsons
What are the major risk factors for Fronto-Temporal Dementia
Auto Dom Tau mutation on chromosome 17
MND family history
FHx of Motor neurone disease
How does FT Dementia present
Frontotemporal signs
- Frontal = Loss of speech/Language
- Temporal = thinking and memory affected
What is a differential for vascular dementia
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus
Dementia
Bradyphrenia (Slow thoughts)
Urinary incontince
Slow shuffling gait
What is bradyphrenia and where is it found
Slow thoughts in Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What aggregates are found in lewy body dementia
Alpha synuclein in cerebral cortex
What are the features of lewy body dementia
Dementia first then parkinsonism
Visual hallucinations and delusions
How is Lewy body managed
Achase inhibitor (Rivastigmine and donepazil)
Why are neuroleptics avoided in lewy body
Can cause irreversible parkinsons
Name two Achase inhibitors
Donepazil
Rivastigmine
How can you manage vascular dementia
Antihypertensives
