Dementia

Question 1

What is Dementia?

Answer 1

A syndrome usually of chronic or progressive nature
Deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing

Question 2

What are the 4 main types of Dementia?

Answer 2

Alzheimer’s
Vascular
Frontotemporal
Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Question 3

What is Alzheimer’s?

Answer 3

Most common type of dementia
Caused by a reduction size of the cortex due to deposits of plaque (a protein fragment called beta-amyloid) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells

Question 4

What is Vascular Dementia?

Answer 4

Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages and eventually kills the brain cells, this is a result of:
Narrowing/blockage of the small blood vessels deep inside the brain (small vessel disease)
A single large stroke (where the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off)
Lots of mini-strokes (TIAs) that cause tiny but widespread damage

Question 5

What is Dementia with Lewy Bodies?

Answer 5

Deposits of an abnormal protein called Lewy Bodies inside the brain cells
These deposits build up in areas of the brain responsible for things such as muscle memory and muscle movement

Question 6

What is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Answer 6

The frontal lobes of the brain are affected
Younger age of onset
Ubiquitin associated clumps of protein

Question 7

What medication is used to treat Alzheimer’s?

Answer 7

Anticholinesterases i.e. Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigimine