Dementia Flashcards
What is Dementia?
a progressive and irreversible clinical syndrome that is characterised by a widespread impairment of mental function
What are the risk factors of dementia?
age female genetics PMH social and mental activity
In Alzheimer’s disease which parts of the brain does neuronal death occur?
Medial temporal lobe Hippocampus Amygdala Tempero-prietal cortex frontal cortex
Clinical features of alzheimer’s disease
mild memory loss
gradual deterioration in memory, other cognitive functions and emotional function
What is Dementia with Lewy body?
progressive cognitive decline with Parkinson’s features
Lewy bodies in the brain
Psychiatrc disturbances
What is vascular dementia?
recurrent CVA or small vessel disease
Clinical features of vascular dementia
abrupt onset and step like progression presence of vascular disease Nocturnal confusion Emotional lability Management- prevent further deterioration
Pathology of Vascular dementia
multiple cortical and subcortical infarcts in an individual with vascular dementia
Symptoms
different people develop symptoms at different times
What is brain reserve capacity?
amount of damage that can be sustained before reaching a threshold for clinical expression
Clinical features of Dementia
depression communication problems disoreintation emotional problems difficulty problem solving sleep disturbance apathy/ lack of motivation perceptual problems memory loss difficulties with ADL: personal care, domestic chores, social activities
Management of Dementia
Pharmacological Maintaining independence Reality Oreintation Errorless learning Physical activity Brain Activating Rehabilliation
