Effects of ageing on NS

Question 1

what is Alzeimers

Answer 1

form of dementia

reduced cognitive ability associated with gradual death of brain cells

Question 2

Familial onset

Answer 2

-inherited
-some alleles cause early onset

Question 3

what are the alleles that tend to AD mutations

Answer 3

amyloid precursor protein
presenilin 1 & 2

Question 4

what causes sporadic AD

Answer 4

Most are this

Other genetic differences
Repeated head injury
Stroke
Low levels of intellectual stimulants

Question 5

what causes vascular dementia

Answer 5

High BP
Smoking
High blood cholesterol

-cognitive impairment occurs due to reduced blood flow to brain

Question 6

symptoms of AD in MRI

Answer 6

Reduction in size of different brain regions

Question 7

Symptoms of AD

Answer 7

Progressive memory loss
Plagues: deposits of B amyloid between neurones
Tangles: Tau tangles within neurones
Cells in region of plages & tangles: secrete less Ach

Question 8

what are Tau proteins

Answer 8

Proteins that stabilise microtubules

Question 9

How do Tau protein contribute to development of AD

Answer 9

Build-up in the cytosol
Accumulation of tangles
Microtubules disintegrate
Disrupts neurone transport system
Disrupts biochemical communication eg. vesicles can’t fuse with pre-s membrane

Question 10

Plaque formation for AD

Answer 10

B amyloid
Fewer & shorter dendrites

Question 11

Treatments to help with AD

Answer 11

Drugs that inhibit acetylcholinesterase- slow down rate of decline of Ach

Vaccines tested in mice which breaks down plaques:
-antigen abnormal part of AB
-antibodies bind to AB
-removed by phagocytes

Question 12

how can memory loss be reduced

Answer 12

frequent exercise
social interaction
good diet
managing stress
intellectual stimulus eg learning language

Question 13

what is presbycusis

Answer 13

age related hearing loss. Affects high frequencies

Question 14

Causes presbycusis

Answer 14

sensitive hairs in cochlea damaged & die
neurones in auditory nerve damaged & die

Question 15

what is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)

Answer 15

a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses and reduces a persons ability to function at tasks

Major effect on lifestyle e.g. reading, recognising faces

Question 16

dry ARMD

Answer 16

cellular debris accumulates between retina & choroid and causes retina to become detached

Question 17

wet ARMD

Answer 17

Abnormal growth of blood vessels in the choroid
which leak of fluid onto retina
scarring of the macular
retina can detach

Question 18

how is wet AMRD treated

Answer 18

laser coagulation

Question 19

what is cataracts

Answer 19

a loss of transparency of lens, resulting in cloudy vision

Question 20

factors that contribute to cataract development

Answer 20

age
smoking
alcoholism
diabetes

Question 21

how to treat cataracts

Answer 21

removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear plastic one during surgery

Question 22

what is glaucoma

Answer 22

damage of the optic nerve due to increased pressure and a lack of drainage

Question 23

chronic open glaucoma

Answer 23

blocked drainage channels
aqueous humour cannot drain away
increase intraocular pressure

Question 24

primary angle closure glaucoma

Answer 24

edge of iris and cornea come in contact with each other
pressure rises suddenly as aqueous fluid cannot reach drainage channels

Question 25

glaucoma treatment

Answer 25

eye drops, surgery