L15 Dementia

Question 1

What are the 3 components of memory?

Answer 1

Encoding
consolidation
recall

Question 2

What is the cardinal symptom of Alzheimer’s

Answer 2

Anterograde amnesia

Question 3

Wernickes encephalopathy (Triad)
How would you treat?

Answer 3

Delirium
Ataxia
Eye movements

If not treated with thiamine can result in Korsakoff (permanent damage)

Question 4

Name 2 features of Korsakoff syndrome. Name a consequence of this syndrome relating to memory

Answer 4

Amnesia

Confabulation

impairement of STM consolidation

Question 5

What is dementia?

Answer 5

Syndrome due to brain disease characterised by

• progressive cognitive impairment
• affects everyday living

Question 6

Which domains of cognition are affected in dementia? [4]

Answer 6

• memory
• language
• visuospatial
• executive: working memory

Question 7

Epidemiology of Dementia

Answer 7

Prevalence doubles with every 5years of increasing age;

1 in 10 people over 85 have dementia.

Question 8

Name some causes of dementia [3]

Answer 8

Brain damge: head injury, stroke, meningitis, encephalitis

Brain dysfunction: systemic disease (metabolic,endocrine), drugs, psychiatric illness, poor sleep, chronic pain

Neurodegeneration: Alzheimers, Lewy Body disease

Question 9

Neurobiological features of Alzheimers

Answer 9

Neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia

Caused by an aggregation of mis-folded proteins

Features

• Neurofibrillary tangles intracellularly
• Amyloid beta accumulation extracellularly

Question 10

What are some effects of Alzheimers on function

Answer 10

• Affects consolidation of memory - from STM to LTM

- pt unable to create new memories

Question 11

Alcohol and memory

Answer 11

Chronic use of alcohol can cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy induced by B1 deficiency

WE can progress to Korsakoff psychosis- this impairs STM consolidation

Question 12

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy is characterised by the classical triad of symptoms. Name them

Answer 12

delirum
ataxia
eye movements

Question 13

How can Korsakoff psychosis be characterised [3]

Answer 13

amnesia
confabulation
consolidation (STM memory deficit)
(apathy)

Question 14

Cognitive deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 14

Starts off with memory impairment [inability to consolidate]

Then visuospatial and language impairment

Depression

Disorientation and hallucination

Aggression, paranoia, apathy, immobility, weight loss

Question 15

Treatment of dementia

Answer 15

Treat underlying cause

• B12 deficiency
• B1 deficiency
• HIV
• Tumour
• CVD

Alzheimer’s
-Acetylcholinesterases

Question 16

Define anterograde amnesia

Answer 16

impairment in new learning i.e. in recall and recognition
memory for episodes and facts arising after
the onset of an illness or injury.