PT for Dementia Part 1-5 Flashcards
dementia definition:
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of cognitive disorders typically characterized by memory impairment, as well as marked difficulty in the domains of language, motor activity, object recognition, and disturbance of executive function – the ability to plan, organize, and abstract.”
Signs and symptoms of dementia
-memory loss that disrupts daily life
-challenges in planning or solving problems
-diff completing familiar tasks
-confusion with time or place
-trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
-new problems with words in speaking or writing
-misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
-decreased or poor judgment
-withdrawal from work or social activities
-changs in mood and personality
Behavioral and psych symptoms of dementia
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Apathy
- Depression
- Dis-inhibition
- Mood lability - mood swings
- Repetitive questioning
- Sleep disturbances
- Socially inappropriate behaviors * Wandering
CIND- cognitively impaired, no dementia
has minimal impact on day to day functioning and does not meet criteria for dementia
not progressive
MCI- mild-cognitive impairment
A clinical subsyndrome of CIND.
Anmestic or non-amnestic
4 types:
1-amnestic MCI- single domain
2-amnestic - multiple domains
3- non-amnestic MCI- single domain
4-non-amnestic-multiple domains
DIAGNOSIS:
-memory complaints
-normal general cognition
-normal ADLs
-abnormal memory for age
-not dementia
Is dementia related to delirium?
no, not related
Alzheimer disease–> Alzheimer dementia
a brain disease characterized by plaques, tangles, neuronal loss–> gradual onset and slow progression and is best explained as caused by Alzheimer’s disease
What percentage of ppl with MCI develop dementia each year?
10-12%
2 main subcortical dementias discussed in class:
dementia with lewy bodies
huntington’s disease
Dementia with lewy bodies definition:
lewy body proteins are present in the brain stem, depleting dop, causing parkinsonian symptoms
-lewy body proteins can also be found in brain
-hard to differentiate between PD, LBD, and AD
HD def
Hereditary disorder that causes degeneration in the brain resulting in
a movement disorder and cognitive decline
behavioral changes too
5 types of cortical dementias discussed in class:
-AD- 60-80% - neurofibrillary tangles and beta amyloid plaques
-vascular dementia - 2nd most common ; caused by stroke or partially blocked blood flow; mini-strokes
-frontotemporal dementia - degen of nerve cells in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain- NEARY CRITERIA TO DX; ppl with ALS typically develop this type of dementia in later stages
pugilistic dementia - due to multiple concussions; CTE
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome-ETOH abuse –> shrinkage of brain and cognitive symptoms
Early onset AD:
before age 65, many in 40s and 50s
AD characteristics:
80% with AD are 75 or older
more common in AA (2X)compared to older white americans; hispanics about 1.5 times as likely as older whites
-more common in women
-time from onset to death typically 7-11 years
-death often secondary to dehydration or infection
-may have more implicit memory than originally thought
-40-60% of AD pts with late-onset –> psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, dramatic verbal/emotional or physical outbursts
Pathology of AD:
-affects the temporal and parietal lobes early on –> most of the cortex in most severe stages
-BETA-AMYLOID PLAQUES:
-proteins stick together and block synapse signaling
-proteins come together in clumps to form plaques that attach to the neuron
-microglia react to the plaque and an inflammatory response results
-NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES:
-show up inside neuron
-tau proteins are chemically changed at microtubules; normally they provide structural support for the microtubules
-disruption of “rail” system
CTE characteristics:
chronic traumatic encephalopathy
** CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED IN LIVING PEOPLE
-triggered by repetitive head trauma
-length of exposure to head impacts
-tau protein clusters around blood vessels in the brain
Diagnosis of DEMENTIA
initially you notice deficits in higher cortical function –> most noticeable
-safety and early behavior modification
-visuospatial tasks
personality changes: egocentricity, impulsivity, irritability
Age associated memory impairment
Age-associated memory impairment = benign
senescent forgetfulness = decline in short-term memory which doesn’t progress to other mental or intellectual impairments
STRESS AND COGNITION
DECREASED
* Tolerance to ambiguity
* Concentration
* Initiative
INCREASED
* Preoccupation
* Errors in judgment
* Anger
* Crying
* Depression
Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s Dementia
Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) on
chromosome 19 removes beta amyloid
* APOE 4 allele is less effective at removing
beta amyloid, thus INC risk
* APOE 2 allele – is protective, thus DEC risk
- Risk for AD by 85 years of age:
- No APOE 4 allele, 9-20%
- If one APOE 4 allele, 25-60%
- If 2 APOE 4 allele, 50-90%
Chromosome 21 has a beta-amyloid precursor protein, thus producing amyloid–> worse prognosis
What lab tests are used to diagnose dementia/rule out other conditions?
complete blood cell count
blood chemistries
liver function
syphilis
TSH
vitamin B12
** look for drug interactions, nutritional deficiencies, infections, poisoning
What conditions do you need to rule out when performing brain imaging for Alzheimer’s Disease?
brain tumor
vascular causes