Gerontology 1 Flashcards
What is dementia
a syndrome
Deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing.
What does dementia affect
Memory
Thinking
Orientation
Comprehension
Calculation
Learning capacity
Language
Judgement
what will people with dementia have problems with
Day-to-day memory- difficulty recalling events that happened recently
Concentrating, planning or organising - difficulties making decisions, solving problems or carrying out a sequence of tasks (eg cooking a meal)
Language - difficulties following a conversation or finding the right word for something
Visuospatial skills - problems judging distances (eg on stairs) and seeing objects in three dimensions
- Orientation - losing track of the day or date, or becoming confused about where they are.
what does dementia not affect
Consciousness
The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in what?
Emotional control
Social behavior
Motivation
What are the different types of dementia
Pathology of Alzheimers
Reduction size of the Cortex, severe in hippocampus
Plaquesare deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.
Tanglesare twisted fibres of tau protein build up inside cells.
Distinctive Features: STML (short term memory loss), Aphasia, Communication Difficulties, Muddled over everyday activities, mood swings, withdrawn, loss of confidence
what are the 2 important features associated with Alzheimers
Plaquesare deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (toxic to neurons) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.
Tanglesare twisted fibres of tau protein build up inside cells.
what is pathology of vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages and eventually kills the brain cells.
Features of vascular dementia
- narrowing and blockage ofthe small blood vessels deep inside the brain(known as small vessel disease)
- a single large stroke(where the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off)
- lots of mini-strokes that cause tiny, but widespread, damage to the brain
- In many cases, these problems are linked to underlying health conditions– such as high blood pressure and diabetes– as well as lifestyle factors, such as smoking and being overweight.
- Distinctive Features: Memory problem of sudden onset, visuospatial difficulties, symptoms of stroke, anxiety, delusions, seizures
pathology of dementia with lewy bodies
Deposits of anabnormal protein called Lewy bodies inside brain cells
These deposits, which are also found in people with Parkinson’s disease, build up in areas of the brain responsible for things such as memory and muscle movement.
Features of dementia with lewy bodies
Distinctive Features: Cognitive ability fluctuates, visuospatial difficulties, attentional difficulties, overlapping motor disorders, speech and swallowing problems, sleep disorders, delusions
Pathology of frontotemporal dementia
The frontal lobes of the brain, found behind the forehead, deal with behaviour, problem-solving, planning and the control of emotions.
Changes in personality and behaviour, and difficulties with language.
Younger age of onset
Ubiqitin associated clumps of protein
TDP-43
Distinctive features of frontotemporal dementia
Distinctive features: STML not always present, uncontrollable repetition of words, mutism, repetition of words of other people, personality change, decline in personal and social conduct
Rarer forms of dementia
HIV – related genitive impairment
Parkinson’s disease
Corticobasal degeneration
Multiple Sclerosis
Niemann-Pick disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Behavioural aspects of dementia
Depression
Apathy / Emotional Blunting
Anxiety
Irritability/ Disinhibition