L06 Orr Neuro Effects of Aging

Question 1

delirium vs dementia

Answer 1

Delirium = acute and reversible confusion (metabolic, infection, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, stroke, etc). Dementia = impairment of multiple domains of cognitive function (various causes: alzheimer’s, parkinson’s, vascular, etc.)

Question 2

Why does stroke happen more often in the elderly?

Answer 2

Degeneration of the cardiovascular system (from various causes)

Question 3

What is the most important risk factor for stroke?

Answer 3

Hypertension

Question 4

Essential tremor vs Parkinson’s disease

Answer 4

Essential tremor = most common adult movement disorder; can be heritable; tends to be bilateral/symmetrical, with no other abnormal signs. Parkinson’s presentation has 4 parts: resting tremor; rigidity; bradykinesia; postural instability.