dementing illness

Question 1

what is the presenting triad of NPH?

Answer 1

incontinence (neurogenic disturbance)

gait disturbance (pressure on corticospinal tract)

dementia (white matter damage)

Question 2

what is the progression timeline for Alzheimers symptoms?

Answer 2

forgetful of new information
disorientation
cognitive decline
disintegeration of personality

Question 3

What is the neuropathology of AD?

Answer 3

Hippocampal atrophy

Neuronal loss through cortex (plaques and tangles)

Loss of cholinergic neurones through cortex

Question 4

what do plaques contain?

Answer 4

B-amyloid

Question 5

what do tangles consist of?

Answer 5

hyperphosphorylated tau protein

Question 6

how / why are Down’s syndrome patient’s affected by AD?

Answer 6

Cognitive decline in 5 / 6th decade

Over production of B Amyloid from chromosome 21 (trisomy 21)

Question 7

give an example of focal lobar dementia

Answer 7

Pick’s
Focal - fronto-temporal function

Question 8

How does Pick’s fronto temporal dementia typically present?

Answer 8

personality change
language disturbance
behavioral changes

Question 9

outline the CJD

Answer 9

rapid progression dementia
myoclonus
young age

Question 10

what is the characteristic EEG of CJD?

Answer 10

episodic bursts of biphasic high amplitude sharp waves

Question 11

NPH triad:

Answer 11

dementia
gait abnormality
incontinence

• no headache / papillodema

Question 12

what are the MRI findings of NPH?

Answer 12

dilated ventricles
hydrocephaluss