IC17 Dementia Flashcards
What are the 4 diagnostic criteria for major dementia?
- Significant cognitive decline
- Affects daily activities
- Not explained by other mental conditions
- Cognitive deficits do not occur in delirium
What are diagnostic criteria for minor dementia?
- Modest cognitive decline
- Affects daily activities
- Not explained by other mental conditions
- Cognitive deficits do not occur in delirium
There are different types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is one type of dementia.
What are the risk factors of Alzheimers?
- Non-modifiable
- Modifiable
Non-modifiable risk factors:
- Age
- Female
- Black & Hispanic
- Genetics
Modifiable risk factors:
- HTN
- DM
- Smoking
- Limited physical activities
- Obesity
What lab test should we conduct to rule out other conditions from dementia?
- Thyroid function test
- Vit B12 level
- CT scan or MRI of the brain
- Alzheimer’s disease often show up as hippocampal atrophy
What assessment tools should we use to assess a pt for dementia?
There are 2 assessment tools we can use:
- Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)
The lower the score, the worse the severity of dementia for both assessment tool.
What is the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease?
It is the accumulation of plaque and neurofibrillary tangle (NFT).
The accumulation of plaque and NFT leads to neurodegeneration of the brain.
What is the goal of therapy in treating Alzheimer’s disease?
To reduce suffering caused by cognitive & accompanying symptoms, while delaying progressive cognitive decline.
What are the pharmacological agents used in Alzheimer’s disease?
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- NMDA receptor antagonist
What is the MOA of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?
To inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme.
This increases the amount of acetylcholine at the synaptic cleft for neuro transmission.
How are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used in dementia pt?
They are used for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Examples of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors inhibitors:
- Donepezil
- Galantamine
- Rivastigmine
What is the MOA of NMDA receptor antagonist?
E.g. of NMDA receptor antagonist - Memantine
Memantine is an non-competitive inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptors.
Glutamate can contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease via overstimulation of glutamate receptors, leading to excitotoxicity and neuronal cell death.
How is NMDA receptor antagonist, memantine, used in dementia pt?
Memantine is used for:
- Moderate to severe dementia
- Pt who cannot tolerate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Comparing AChE inhibitors with Memantine, what is the main difference in both?
AChE inhibitors are used for mild-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Memantine is used for moderate-severe Alzheimer’s disease OR pt intolerant to AChE inhibitors.
When initiating AChE inhibitors in pt with Alzheimer’s disease, there can be a few ADRs.
What are the common ADRs that pt will likely experience?
- N&V
- Loss of appetite
- Increased frequency of bowel movement
- Vivid dreams
- Insomnia
Which pts are CI with the use of AChE inhibitors?
Pts w bradycardia.