Dementia & Alzheimer's Flashcards
1
Q
dementia
A
- a general term
- decline in cognitive function so extensive it interferes with daily life
- SYNDROME that accompanies a disease/condition, not a disease itself
2
Q
Sx of dementia
A
- memory loss
- inability to learn/remember new info
- difficulty organizing or planning
- difficulty with communication
- inability to reason
- inappropriate behavior
- personality changes
- paranoia
- agitation
- hallucinations
- difficulty with coordination and motor function
3
Q
top two causes of dementia
A
1) Alzheimer’s disease
2) Lewy body dementia
other: vascular dementia
4
Q
cause/symptoms of multi-infarct dementia
A
- cause: series of small strokes
- Sx progress in stepwise manner (sudden changes in ability)
5
Q
cause of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
A
- build up of Lewy Bodies (alpha-synuclein protein in cytoplasm of neuron)
- areas of brain that control memory/motor
6
Q
additional symptoms with DBL
A
- visual hallucination
- Parkinsonian sx
- severity fluctuates on a daily basis
7
Q
symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
A
- behavioral changes
- problems with language
- ages 40-65
- progresses steadily and rapidly
8
Q
risk factors for FTD
A
- genetics
- mutations in Tau protein, GRN
9
Q
“dementia” that could be reversed
A
- infections
- subdural hematoma
- metabolic problems
- poisoning
- nutrition deficiency
- brain tumor
- drug reaction
- anoxia
once treated, return to normal
10
Q
Alzheimer’s is the #__ leading cause of death in the US
A
Alzheimer’s is the #6 leading cause of death in the US
11
Q
histologic characteristics of Alzheimer’s
A
- beta amyloid accumulations
- neurofibrillary tangles
12
Q
formation of beta amyloid
A
- APP: amyloid precursor protein (transmembrane)
- BACE and gamma secretase cleave APP
- beta amyloid is released, accumulates in brain
- forms AB oligomers, plaques
13
Q
cleavage of APP (good/bad)
A
- alpha secretase cleaves APP within the beta region so does not form beta amyloid; good cleave, nontoxic
- BACE forms beta amyloid; bad cleave, toxic
14
Q
genetic causes of Alzheimer’s
A
- trisomy 21 (<1%)
- late onset familial (AD)
- early onset familial (AD)
- unknown
15
Q
Alzheimer’s risk factors
A
- age
- family Hx
- gender (more common in females)
- life exposure factors (head trauma, stroke, systemic vascular disorders, high cholesterol)
