Dementia COPY Flashcards
What conditions must be met to qualify for a diagnosis of dementia?
- functional impairment (impact ADL)
- symptoms for 6 months or more
Name some types of dementia
- alzheimer’s dementia (most common)
- levy body dementia
- fronto temporal dementia
- huntingtons dementia
- HIV dementia
- parkinsonian dementia (parkinson’s first then dementia)
- vasuclar dementia
what are differentials for dementia (things you should rule out in history?
D-drugs/alcohol E-ear/eye problems M-etabolic problems E-emotions/depression N- nutritional disorders T-trauma, toxins, tumours I-infection A-alcohol, atherosclerosis
PMH
any problems with vision or hearing?
past medical history of depression?
past stroke/ heart attack?
what types of dementia are acetyl esterase inhibitors useful for?
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
-first line is MONOTHERAPY WITH ach-esterase-inhib
(RIVASTIGMINE, GALANTAMINE, DONEPEZIL)
- second line is nmda receptor antagonist
- AMANTINE or MEMANTINE
- Good if patient has heart problems
- can take both together
LEWY BODY DEMENTIA
-RIVASTIGMINE OR DONEPEZIL would be the best choice here (lewys a don but has a lot of stigma about his disease)
When should anti-psychotics be offered to dementia patients?
Anti-psychotics should ONLY BE OFFERED if the patient is at risk of hurting themselves or other or is experiencing delusions, hallucinations or agitation.
***there is an increased risk of stroke, falls and parkinson effects in elderly patients on anti-psychotics
If they are given they should be given at the LOWEST POSSIBLE DOSE and for the LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME with aREVIEW EVERY 6 WEEKS
Risperidone good for aggression
What assessment should you do for a patient with dementia
- Always make sure they are involved in the decisions about their care
ASSESS THEM
○ History
○ Collateral history
○ Physical examination
○ Cognitive assessment (MoCA or ACE-III or 6CIT in GP)
How do you treat depression in dementia
-Do not routinely offer anti-depressants but consider psychological therapies
How do you treat sleep problems in dementia
Do NOT offer melatonin, consider psychological interventions including sleep hygiene, exposure to daylight
What are the risk factors for Alzeimers disease
Genetics
- 3 fold increase in risk of AD if first degree relative has it
- ApoE (allele 4) although having 2 copies does not mean someone will definitely
EARLY ONSET/FAMILIAL
-downs syndrome
PSEN1 PSEN2
Environment
- low SES
- poor cognition
- HRT protective
REDUCTION IN ACh - this is secondary to reduction in cholinergic neurons at the nucleus basalis
5 pathological findings in Alzheimers disease
- Beta amyloid plaques
- Neurofibrillary tangles
- Cerebral atrophy (can only see this one on scan- big ventricles, shrunk gyri and wide sulci)
- Senile plaques
- Ach depletion
5 As of alzheimer’s?
- APHASIA (trouble expressing themselves with words)
- AGNOSIA (trouble recognizing things/people)
- AMNESIA (trouble remembering things)
- APRAXIA (trouble moving)
ASSOSIATED BEHAVIOURS
example of associated behaviours seen in all types of dementia?
- Wandering
- Aggressiveness (risperidone good for this)
- Crying
- Swearing
- Disinhibition
- Pacing
- Psychosis (hallucinations/delusions)
Biological treatment of alzheimer’s
FIRST LINE ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS ○ Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Donepezil ○ These drugs will improve symptoms and slow progression of disease ○ Not good if arrythmias
SECOND LINE- nmda receptor antagonist
○ Amantine and Memantine
○ Good if patient has heart problems
Psychological treatment of alzheimer’s?
Psychological - emotional support groups - Reminiscence therapies - Cognitive rehabilitation - Treat comorbid conditions ○ CBT for anxiety
Social treatment of alzheimer’s?
- Carer support (restbite for family)
- OT input (for supported employment)
○ Timing on oven/toaster
○ No mirrors
○ Alarm bells
○ Trackers
○ Timed dosset boxes - Refer to Alzheimer’s society
- Refer to social services
-Day centre
-Meals on wheels
- OT input (for supported employment)