Dementia And Delirium

Question 1

Give some psychotic symptoms of dementia.

Cognitive.

Answer 1

Visual and auditory hallucinations
Persecutory delusions

Memory impairment
Decreased learning capacity
Disorientation/ balance problems

Question 2

Give some things that need to be ruled out before diagnosing dementia.

Answer 2

Hypothyroidism
Hypercalcaemia
Vitamins B12 deficiency
Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Question 3

Give a consequence of Senile plaque (ABeta protein) build up

Neurofibrillary tangle build up

Answer 3

Accumulate between neurones and interrupt signalling

Intracellular - activation of apoptosis

Question 4

What is another word for Parkinsonian gait?

Answer 4

Festination

Question 5

What is the typical pattern of symptoms seen in frontotemporal dementia?

Answer 5

Mainly behavioural (loss of inhibition, loss of motivation w/o depression, repetitive ritualistic behaviour)

Lots of eating (hyperorality, dysexecutive syndrome)

Non-fluent aphasia

Question 6

Give some pharmacological Mx for dementia.

Answer 6

AChEi

NMDA antagonists

Question 7

Why are NMDA antagonists used?

Answer 7

Excessive glutamate activity leads to overstimulation of the brain and this can lead to agitation.

Question 8

What should be arranged for someone suffering from dementia??

Answer 8

Day-care
Respite care
Resources for careers
Nursing and residential home placements.