Memory Problems: Assessment Flashcards
what is dementia
global degeneration of higher cognitive functions in clear consciousness
what are the main types of memory
sensory
short-term memory (working memory <1 min)
Long term memory (life time)
what are the types of long term memory
Explicit (conscious)
Implicit (unconscious)
what are the types of explicit (conscious) memory
Declarative memory (facts, events) Episodic memory (events, experiences) Semantic memory (facts, concepts)
what is an example of implicit memory
Procedural memory
skills and tasks eg. riding a bike
what do you need to remember something
Attention
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
what is anterograde amnesia
difficulty in acquiring new material and remembering events since the onset of the illness or injury
what is retrograde amnesia
difficulty remembering information prior to the onset of illness or injury
what is normal age related forgetfulness
Sometimes misplaces keys, eyeglasses etc
momentarily forgets acquaintance’s name
occasionally has to search for a word
occasionally forgets to run errand
may forget an event from the distant past
when driving may momentarily forget where to turn, quickly orients self
jokes about memory loss
what are signs of mild cognitive impairment
Frequently misplaces items
Frequently forgets peoples names and is slow to recall them
Has more difficulty using the right words
begins to forget important events and appointments
may forget more recent events or newly learned information
may temporarily become lost more often, may have trouble understanding and following a map
worries about memory loss. family and friends notice the lapses
what are some signs of dementia
Forgets what an item is used for or puts it in an appropriate place
may not remember knowing a person
begins to lose language skills, may withdraw from social interaction
loses sense of time, doesn’t know what day it is
has serious impairment of short term memory. has difficulty learning and remembering new information
becomes daily disorientated or lost in familiar places, sometimes for hours
may have little or no awareness of cognitive problems
why is cognition assessed
to evaluate individuals cognitive functioning
to identify underlying pathological processes
aid diagnosis
inform treatment
asses capacity
what is the 4AT
rapid assessment test for delirium
quick, pragmatic, validated
aimed at detecting moderate -severe cognitive impairment
what are the 4As in 4AT
Alertness
AMT-4 (age, DOB, place, current year)
Attention (months backwards)
Acute or fluctuating course
what is the MMSE
Mini mental state examination
Screening test scored out of 30
cut off (>27 or <24)
measures orientation, memory, visuospatial and language
crude test
