Dementia Flashcards
What is dementia?
Progressive impairment of multiple domains of cognitive function in alert patients leading to loss of acquired skills and interference in occupational and social roles
What is meant by late onset of dementia?
Developing dementia after the age of 65
What is meant by a young onset of dementia?
Developing dementia before the age of 65
What is the most common type of dementia?
Alzheimer’s
Which genetic condition may lead to early onset of dementia?
Huntington’s
Which infections can lead to early onset of dementia?
HIV
CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease)
Which inflammatory disorder can lead to early onset of dementia?
MS
Which toxin can lead to early onset of dementia?
Alcohol
There re some causes of dementia which are treatable. Which vitamin deficiency can be treated to also treat dementia?
Vitamin B12
What are some endocrine causes of dementia which can be treated?
Thyroid disease
What are some infections which can cause dementia but can be treated?
HIV
Syphilis
What are some issues which can mimic dementia?
Hydrocephalus
Tumour
Depression
Why may depression get confused with dementia?
Sometimes depression can lead to problems with alertness, concentration and attention and may be difficult to retain information.
In examination of those with dementia, which examinations would be carried out?
Cognitive function
Neurological
Vascular- some types of dementia are of vascular causes
Which investigations are routinely carried out in those with suspected dementia?
Bloods
CT/MRI
Other tests can be done to rule out other mimics/causes of dementia. Which investigation would be done if you suspected CJD was the cause of the dementia?
ECG
In Alzheimer’s, in which lobe of the brain would there hypometabolism?
Temporal lobe
During an examination of cognitive functions, which domains are tested?
Memory, attention, language, visuospatial, behaviour, emotion, executive function, apraxia. agnosias