Disorders of Aging and Cognition

Question 1

DSM-5 Delirium

Answer 1

Disturbance in attention and orientation to the environment,

Significant cognitive disturbance

Question 2

Senile plaques

Answer 2

Sphere shaped deposits of beta-amyloid protein - excessive in Alzheimer’s

Question 3

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 3

Twisted protein tangles within neurons - excessive in Alzheimer’s

Question 4

Why are excessive plaques and tangles dangerous?

Answer 4

Contribute to neuron death > plaques interfere with communication, tangles block transport of molecules

Question 5

Memory-linked proteins

Answer 5

Glutamate, RNA, ACTH, calcium

Question 6

Autoimmune theory of Alzheimer’s

Answer 6

Changes in aging braincells trigger an autoimmune response > mistaken attack of the immune system on itself

Question 7

Biomarkares

Answer 7

Biochemical, molecular, genetic, or structural characteristics that usually accompany Alzheimer’s

Question 8

Vascular neurocognitive disorder

Answer 8

Blood flow to specific brain areas was cut off, thus damaging them

Question 9

Frontotemproal neurocognitive disorder (Pick’s)

Answer 9

Affect frontal and temporal lobes

Question 10

Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease

Answer 10

Body spasms caused by viral infection