Dementia Flashcards
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s
Age, family hx, CVS disease, downs syndrome, head injury, sedentary lifestyle
Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s
Damage to brain, irreversible, connections between nerve cells lost. Build up of amyloid beta and tau. Clumps= plaque, toxic to nerve cells.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Memory, language and reasoning
Course of Alzheimer’s
Start before age 65. Late stage- lose ability to respond to environment.
Management of Alzheimer’s
Cholinesterase inhibitors. NMDA antagonist to regulate glutamate.
Risk factors for Vascular dementia
Heart disease and strokes
Pathophysiology of VD
Reduced blood to brain due to diseased blood vessels.
Symptoms of VD
Impaired judgement, difficulty with motor skills and balance, slow thought.
Course of VD
Slow cognitive decline
Management of VD
Stop worsening by treating underlying cause. Lifestyle changes.
Risk factors for Lewy body dementia
Age >60, M>F. Family history of LBD or Parkinson’s
Pathophysiology of LBD
Caused by Lewy body proteins- deposits of alpha synuclein.
Symptoms of LBD
Hallucinations and disordered sleep, movement, behaviour and mood.
Course of LBD
Cognitive decline
Management of LBD
Ach esterase inhibitors- donepezil
Risk factors for frontotemporal dementia
Diabetes, hypertension, smoking and obesity.
Pathophysiology of FTD
Clumps of abnormal protein inside brain cells in frontal and temporal lobes of brain
Symptoms of FTD
Personality changes, language problems
Course of FTD
Between 45-60
Management of FTD
Antidepressants, SSRIs
Risk factors for Parkinsons
Age, sex, head trauma, smoking, genetics
Pathophysiology of Parkinsons
Gradual loss of cells in substantia nigra. Dopamine transmits signals between two regions of the brain.
Symptoms of Parkinsons
Tremor, bradykinesia, impaired posture, loss of automatic movements. Triad: rigidity, bradykinesia and tremor.
Course of Parkinsons
Progress to more intense and debilitating.
Management of Parkinsons
Levodopa- can cross BBB. Controls symptoms by increasing dopamine.
Risk factors for Mixed dementia
Age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity.
Pathophysiology of MD
Several types of dementia contribute
Symptoms of MD
Damage or loss of nerve cells and connections.
Course of MD
10 years following diagnosis.
