Dementia

Question 1

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Answer 1

Memory loss
Poor social recognition
Difficulty in learning & memory
Complex attention
Difficulty in tasks
Cognitive deficits

Question 2

What is vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID)?

Answer 2

It is a form of dementia due to reduced blood supply to the brain

Question 3

What are some examples of acetylcholinesterase (AcHe) inhibitors?

Answer 3

Donepezil
Rivastigmine
Galantamine

Question 4

How do AcHe inhibitors work & when are they given to treat dementia?

Answer 4

They work by preventing the break down of acetylcholine = improving cognitive function
They are given 1st line.

Question 5

Who should you not give donepezil to?

Answer 5

Asthmatics
People with bradycardia
COPD
People with peptic ulcers

Question 6

What is an example of an NMDA antagonist?

Answer 6

Memantine

Question 7

How do NMDA antagonists work?

Answer 7

They block NMDA open receptors, which reduced glutamate neurotoxicity, hence reducing neurodegeneration

Question 8

Which patients should you take caution with if they are taking memantine?

Answer 8

Epileptics
Elderly as it can cause confusion/fatigue/hallucinations