Dementia (intro) Flashcards
APA definition of dementia
- Must have memory and one of: aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance in executive functioning
- Cognitive impairments must disrupt social and occupational functioning
- Deficits cannot occur exclusively during delirium
- Course must be gradual and progressive
- Not attributable to another CNS condition or mental illness
Incidence
1.5% of population over 65
30% of population over 85
More common in African American women than other demographics
Risk factors
Genetic
Environmental/experiential
Nutritional
Other
Irreversible Dementias (6)
AD Lewy-body Fronto-temporal Multi-infarct PD Vascular
Reversible Dementias (6)
Drug-related Metabolic imbalance related Infection-related Tumor-related Hydrocephalus Alcohol-related Account for 10-15% of all dementias
Depression and Dementia
Cognitive decline associated with depression is reversible
Depression also present in 50% of dementias; makes differential diagnosis difficult
Mini Mental Status Exam
Brief, standardized exam of cognitive status
Assesses orientation, attention, recall, language, ability to follow simple directions
Score of less than 24 indicated cognitive impairment
Clinical Dementia Rating Scale
5-point scale used to characterize six domains of cognitive function
Any score not 0 is some level of dementia
Blessed Dementia Scale
Scale for family memebers assessing pt’s ADL ability in 8 areas
Global deterioration scale
7-point scale completed after a patient/family interview
Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD)
4 screening subtests and 14 regular subtests which can be administered in isolation; recommended for individuals with mild dementia due to length
CLQT
Available in English in Spanish. IDs strengths and weaknesses in 5 cognitive domains
Functional Linguistic Communication Inventory
Designed to assess communication in moderate to severe dementia
