Dementia Flashcards
what is dementia characterised by
global cognitive decline
- impaired memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, language and judgement
common presenting complaints of memory problems
forgetting a message/ peoples names/ faces losing track of conversation forgetting to do things inability to navigate in familiar places increased misplacing of things
symptoms of dementia
global cognitive decline
mood disturbance
personality change
psychosis
routine bloods for people presenting with symptoms of dementia
FBC
thyroid function
serum B12/folate
screening test for dementia
MMSE
normal MMSE score
greater than 27 out of 30
MMSE score indicative of dementia
<24
most common type of dementia
alzheimers
where does alzheimers first affect in the brain
nucleus basalis of Meynert
what is special about the nucleus basalis of Meynert
main source of acetylcholine for the cortex
microscopic changes in alzheimers
intracytoplasmic neurofibrillary tangles
beta amyloid plaques
extensive neuronal loss with astrocytosis
amyloid antipathy
what are neurofibrillary tangles
abnormally phosphorylated tau protein
effects of beta amyloid plaques in Alzheimers
prevent synapses from transmitting acetylcholine
what genetic condition increases risk of Alzheimers
Down syndrome
other risk factors for Alzheimers
previous head injury
hypothyroid
parkinsons
how is the progression of Alzheimers described
stage 1
stage 2
stage 3
stage 1 Alzheimers symptoms
amnesia
spatial disorientation
stage 2 Alzheimers symptoms
personality change- aggression, agitation, psychosis, depression
dysphasia, apraxia
parkinsonism
stage 3 Alzheimers symptoms
apathy wasting immobility incontinence siezures spacisity
1st line treatment of Alzheimers
cholinesterase inhibitors