memory and dementia Flashcards
What is dementia?
Dementia is a collection of symptoms that affect cognitive abilities and daily functioning, including memory loss, difficulty with attention, language, disorientation, mood changes, hallucinations, and delusions. It is caused by various diseases that damage brain health.
How common is dementia in the UK?
Around 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia, which is approximately 1 in 14 people over 65. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to 2 million.
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases. Other common causes include cerebrovascular disease and neocortical Lewy body disease.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive, irreversible cognitive decline and loss of daily function, typically starting after age 60.
What factors influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms?
Factors include genes, physical health, personality, emotional resilience, medications, and available support.
What is atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease?
Atrophy refers to the loss of neurons and reduction in grey and white matter volume, with brain areas such as the medial temporal lobe being affected early, followed by temporal, parietal, and frontal regions.
How is hippocampal atrophy related to memory in Alzheimer’s disease?
The hippocampus plays a critical role in memory formation. Atrophy of the hippocampus is one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease and is closely linked to memory impairment.
What neurotransmitter is affected in Alzheimer’s disease?
In Alzheimer’s disease, there is a dysfunction in the cholinergic system, particularly the release of acetylcholine, which is involved in communication between neurons. Medications aim to boost acetylcholine signaling.
How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed using biomarkers?
Amyloid and tau deposits can be measured using cerebrospinal fluid, blood tests, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. Amyloid deposits are often found in the default mode network early in the disease.
What is the significance of tau deposits in Alzheimer’s disease?
Tau deposits, which follow Braak staging, are closely correlated with memory loss. Tau density is a stronger predictor of cognitive decline than beta-amyloid.
Can amyloid and tau deposits occur without dementia?
Yes, amyloid and tau deposits can be present in healthy older adults without clinical dementia. However, the co-occurrence of these deposits often leads to neurodegeneration and progression to Alzheimer’s disease
What types of memory are affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects episodic memory, short-term memory, long-term memory, semantic memory, working memory, flexibility of representations, spatial memory, and lexicon.
How do we assess memory impairment in Alzheimer’s patients?
Memory impairment is assessed through in-clinic memory tests, novel methods like VR tests and smartphone apps, and observation of daily life activities, such as tea-making.
What cognitive processes are involved in making tea?
Tea-making involves several cognitive processes, including semantic memory (what makes tea?), spatial memory (where is the sugar?), autobiographical memory (personal preferences), and working memory (recent actions).
What are common tea-making errors in patients with Alzheimer’s?
Errors include omissions (e.g., failing to use milk), sequencing errors (e.g., adding milk to the kettle), substitutions (e.g., stirring with a fork), additions (e.g., blending routines), and spatial errors (e.g., holding the wrong end of the spoon)
