Neurodegenerative Flashcards
define aphasia
loss of language ability due to brain damage
define broca’s aphasia
problems with speech production and articulation such as slow speech and short phrases
what area of the brain is damaged to cause broca’s aphasia
frontal lobe (usually left)
define wernicke’s aphasia
lack of language comprehension, cannot follow verbal commands or repeat phrases, can speak but it doesn’t make sense
what area of the brain is damaged to cause wernicke’s aphasia
dominant temporal lobe (usually left)
define anosognosia
being unaware of problems in language
how is conduction aphasia different from wernicke’s aphasia
in conduction aphasia, they are aware that they have a problem. people with wernicke’s aphasia are unaware that they have a problem (anosognosia)
what is the cause of conduction aphasia
lesions between pathways between receptive and expressive regions
define global aphasia
widespread damage to the language areas of the cortex
define anomic aphasia
specifically having problems recalling words or names and not being able to explain a concept (circumlocution)
what area of the brain is damaged to cause transcortical aphasia
damage outside the main language areas
name three types of transcortical aphasia
motor aphasia, sensory aphasia, mixed aphasia
define apraxia
cannot carry out purposeful motor movements even though they understand, however they can do involuntary movements
do people with apraxia have motor or sensory deficits
no
define agnosia
loss of ability to recognize specific sensory stimuli (object, person, smell, sound, shape) but nothing is actually wrong with the senses
define two types of agnosia
anosognosia and prospoagnosia
define anosognosia
lack of awareness you have a problem
define prosopagnosia
cannot recognize familiar faces
define agraphia
loss of ability to write
define alexia
loss of ability to read
T/F Amnesia is total memory loss
False, it can be partial as well
Define two types of amnesia
retrograde and anterograde
define retrograde amnesia
loss of past memories with a more severe effect on autobiographical memory
define anterograde amnesia
loss of the ability to create new memories, cannot consolidate short term memories in to long term memories
One-sided neglect usually effects which side of the body
the left side of all objects are neglected due to right sided damage
what are the qualifiers of dementia
memory problems PLUS one of the following - aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance in executive functioning. PLUS an interference in activities of daily living (ADL’s)
what are memory problems without a dementia qualifier called
amnestic disorders
what is the most common type of dementia
dementia due to alzheimers
what are the early symptoms of alzheimers
memory problems (remembering names, recent events, misplacing things, forgetting what they are about to do, apathy, and depression)
what are the steps in the progession of alzheimers
as it progresses - disorientation, wander away from home, decreased judgment, motor disturbances, and behavioral alterations. Further progression - Trouble with ADL’s, Final stage- loss of ability to communicate, bed ridden, don’t recognize relatives
What changes in the brain are seen in alzheimers
plaques and tangles (only type of dementia with this), widespread neuronal damage, hippocampus and amygdala damage, significant decrease in acetylcholine)
what processes is acetylcholine associated with
learning and memory
what are the three clinical stages of alzheimers
preclinical, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to alzheimers disease
what is the name of the test that detects plaques in the brain to diagnose alzheimers
Amyvid - it is a radioactive material that sticks to the plaques after it is injected in the brain using a PET scan
what is the cause of alzheimers
unclear, may be genetic
Can alzheimers be cured
no, but it can have temporary improvement with some medications
which medications can temporarily improve cognitive function in alzheimers
Aricept and Cognex
how is alzheimers treated
supporting caregivers and symptom management
what is the second most common type of dementia
vascular dementia
what is the cause of vascular dementia
numerous causes such as small strokes and high blood pressure
what effects how functioning is impaired in vascular dementia
location of injuries
what are the differences between alzheimers and vascular dementia
in vascular dementia, onset is more abrupt, it has plateau’s and declines, and half die within 2-3 years, and there is not much that helps improve functioning
what are lewy bodies
abnormal clumps of a particular type of protein
how does dementia with lewy bodies differ from alzheimers
also have visual hallucination, sleep disturbances, and muscular rigidity
what is mixed dementia
alzheimers that coexists with another type of dementia
people with parkinsons will always develop dementia T/F
false, but most do
what is the first symptom of dementia due to parkinsons disease
depressive symptoms
define subcortical dementia
speed of processing and executive functioning difficulties
what area of the brain are abnormalities seen in dementia due to parkinson’s disease
the substantia nigra (basal ganglia)
what neurotransmitter is lacking in dementia due to parkinson’s disease
dopamine
what type of dementia is caused by a gene that is not sex linked
dementia due to huntingtons chorea
what are the symptoms of huntingtons chorea
changes in personality and mood, apathetic or disinhibited, progressively deteriorating dementia along with psych symptoms
define choreiform movements
brisk jerking movements of the trunk, limbs, and pelvis
define athetosis
slow writhing movements and facial grimaces
what area of the brain is involved in huntingtons chorea
the basal ganglia, caudate nucleus, putamen
which neurotransmitters are involved in huntingtons chorea
reduction in acetylcholine and gaba which triggers too much dopamine which causes excessive movement
what are two examples of frontotemporal dementia
pick’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy
what are the symptoms of dementia due to HIV
memory problems, attention, motor weakness and gait, jerky eyes, apathy and withdrawal, motivation, inappropriate affect
define ADC
aids dementia complex
what is another name for mad cow disease
creutzfeldt jakob’s disease
T/F death due to creutzfeldt jakob’s disease is not common
false. death occurs within 4-6 months
define hydrocephalus
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brains ventricles
