Memory problems Flashcards
What is memory?
Memory is essential to normal human functioning
Without memory we could not recognise anyone or anything familiar.
We would not be able to talk, read, or write because we could not remember anything about language.
We wouldn’t be able to learn from experiences
3 main types of human memory?
Sensory memory (< 1 sec)
Short-term memory (< 1 min)
Long-term memory (lifetime)
Types of long-term memory?
Explicit memory (conscious)
Implicit memory (unconscious)
What is implicit memory?
Revealed when performance on a task is facilitated in the absence of conscious recollection e.g. Tying shoes, riding a bike.
Phrased as being something that is “second nature”.
What is explicit memory?
Revealed when performance on a task requires conscious recollection of past experiences. E.g. Dates of a historical event, who came to dinner last night
What are the 2 types of memory loss?
Retrograde amnesia
Anterograde amnesia
What is retrograde amnesia?
Difficulty in remembering information prior to onset of injury or illness.
So person can remember new events but not events prior to incident.
What is anterograde amnesia?
Difficulty in acquiring new material and remembering events since the onset of the illness or injury.
Can be short term e.g. potentially after a head injury
Or longer term and extensive (korsakoffs and later stages of Alzheimers)
What are some typical reports of memory problems?
Forgetting a message
Losing track of a conversation
Forgetting to do things
Inability to navigate in familiar places
Increased misplacing of things
Struggling to remember names
Dementia vs delirium vs depression onset?
Dementia = insidious
Delirium = acute
Depression = gradual
Dementia vs delirium vs depression duration?
Dementia= Months/Years
Delirium = Hours/Days/ Weeks/Months
Depression = Weeks/Months
Dementia vs delirium vs depression course?
Dementia = Stable, progressive, step – wise
Delirium = Fluctuating
Depression = Diurnal (during day)
Dementia vs delirium vs depression alertness?
Dementia = Normal
Delirium = Impaired
Depression = Normal
Dementia vs delirium vs depression orientation?
Dementia = Normal or impaired to time/place
Delirium = Impaired
Depression = Normal
Dementia vs delirium vs depression memory?
Dementia = Recent & remote impaired
Delirium = Recent impaired
Depression = Remote intact,
concentration is poor
Dementia vs delirium vs depression thinking?
Dementia = Slowed, reduced interest
Delirium = Can be paranoid & bizarre
Depression = Slow & preoccupied
Dementia vs delirium vs depression perception?
Dementia = Hallucinations (in 30 – 40 %)
Delirium = Visual and auditory hallucinations common
Depression = Mood congruent auditory hallucinations
Dementia vs delirium vs depression emotions?
Dementia = Shallow, labile, irritable
Delirium = Irritable, aggressive & fearful
Depression = Flat, unresponsive and sad
Dementia vs delirium vs depression sleep?
Dementia = Nocturnal wandering & confusion
Delirium = Nocturnal confusion
Depression = Early morning wakening
Why is assessment of cognition necessary?
To evaluate the individual’s cognitive functioning
To identify the underlying pathological processes
To aid the diagnosis process
To inform treatment
To assess capacity
What is a corroborative history?
A history taken from 2 sources regarding the patient, in this case a history of the patient is taken from the staff and patients family.
What is 4AT?
A rapid clinical test for the detection of delirium
Aimed at detecting moderate-severe cognitive impairment
Components of 4AT?
Alertness (normal/mild sleepiness/clearly abnormal)
AMT-4 (age, DOB, place, current year)
Attention (months backwards)
Acute or fluctuating course
What is a mini mental state examination (mmse) and how is it scored?
A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a set of 11 questions that doctors and other healthcare professionals commonly use to check for cognitive impairment (problems with thinking, communication, understanding and memory).
The maximum score for the MMSE is 30. A score of 25 or higher is classed as normal. If the score is below 24, the result is usually considered to be abnormal, indicating possible cognitive impairment.
Addenbrookes cognitive examination III is scored out of 100 with 5 domains. true/false?
true
What are the 5 domains of the ACE III?
Orientation and attention
Memory
Fluency
Language
Visuospatial functioning
