Week 4 Abnormal psych Flashcards
What are four myths about wellbeing in later life
Forgetfullness, cognitive probelms, poorer health and depression are normal
What is the cohort effect, give an example relating to mental health
When data shows difference/sames which could be due to having different cohorts. E.g. although depression seems higher in younger than old, younger are more likely to report it. so the numbers could be different but we wouldnt know because older poeple are less inclined to admit they have issues.
What is the definition of Major Neurocognitive Disorder
major cognitive decline from a previous level which is not delirirum, interferes with daily activities
What is the defintion of mild Amnestic mild cognitive impairment
mild Decline in cognition which effects memory and does not interfere with daily life and is not better explained by another disoder
What is the defintion of mild nonmnestic mild cognitive impairment
mild Decline in cognition which has no effect on memory and does not interfere with daily life and is not better explained by another disoder
True or false, people who have amnestic MCI are unlikely to get dementia
False, they are the most likely out of amnestic and non amnestic patients to develop dementia
Why is prevelence of MCI over estimated in research studies?
When testing cognition, if the patients know they are being tested they are likely to do worse. AND. studies looking to study cognitive issues attract people who think they have issues
what are some risk factors for going on to get dementia after a aMCI diagnosis
Older age, APOE allele, obesity, smoking and cadiovascular disease
What are protective factors from dementia after an aMCA diagnosis
Education, increased hippocampal size, diet, exercise
What are the 3 main types of dementia
Alzheimers, frontotemporal and vascular.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease
The most common form of dementia characterised by progressive cognition deterioration
How long after onset is Alzheimer’s diease diagnosed
Often decades go by before a diagosis. the brain begins to change long before symptoms are noticed.
Describe Plaques as part of the Pathology of Alzeimers Disease
the protien Beta-amyloid is flushed cells and accumlated into clumps which make plaques this effects tau protiens.
Describe the Tangles as part of the Pathology of Alzeimers Disease
Tau protien in axons naturally keeps axons stable, eventually the tau protien shrivels and chnages shape causing deformation of the neurons
How heritable is Alzhiemers disease?
Twin studies show it to be 79% heritable
What is the largest risk allele associated with alzheimers
APOE-4 gene on the 19 chromosomes
What gene is the gene to protect against alzheimers
APOE-2 or APOE-3
What is the connection between risk alleles and dementia
poeple who are homozygous for the alleles have a 91% chance of getting it while those who are heterozygous have a 47% chance. those who have no alleles for it have a 20% chance. AND. the more alleles who have the earlier that age of onset.
What is the Nun study?
The study recovered thew diaries of nuns and they were coded for low and high lingustic ability. 91% of the nuns who had low linguistic ability developed alzhiemers
What is evidence that puzzles and crosswords fight Alzhiemers?
Even people who have plaques and tangles show less Alzhiemers symptoms if they do alot of brain games
How are biomarkers for Alzheimers found?
By finding poeple who have poor memory/poor cognitive ability but do not meet the criteria for MCI and screening them for brain chnages as 90% of them go on to get dementia.
What is vascular cognitive impairment
This is an umbrella term for cognitive disorders which are severe enough that they impact daily functioning and are caused by brain damage due to abnormal blood flow in the brain.
what is the overlap between alzhiemers and Vascula dementia?
About 50% of people with Alzhiemers also have Vascular dementia
What is the diagnositc criteria for Vascular dementia
Impairment and memory and 2 other cognitive domains which impacts daily life. There must be a relationship between cognitive decline and cerebrovasular disease.
What is the most common barin injury to result in vascular dementia
Stroke, this causes a clot in the brain which impedes circulation and causes death to neurons.
What determines which cognitive domains are impacted in vascula dementia
It depends which area of the brain is damaged. often stroke leaves blood clots in the speech area of the brain which effects peoples ability to speak afterwards.
What is frontotemporal dementia
This is dementia caused by a loss of neurons in the frontal and temporal area.
True of false, frontotemporal dementia is the most common and has the earliest age of onset
False, Alzheimers is most common, but FTD does has the earlier age of onset
What are some impacts associated with Frontotemporal Dementia
Pretty much anything that requires the frontal/temporal areas of the brain (memeory ect) there is also loss in the ability to regulate emotions, to undertsand humour and have theory of mind, there is a large shift in personality.
Define Varient FDT, how is it diagnosed
This type of FTD has a large impact on personality and executive skills. It is diagnosed through consultation as often their behaviour gives clues about the condition. They have no filter and are impulsive.
What is semantic dementia how is it diagnosed
This type of FTD has a progressive breakdown of semantic ability. Memory and language are impacted. They can speak but they dont have knowledge of words. They display assymetry in the temporal lobe
What is progressive non-fluent aphasia
A type of FTD that has breakdown of language output , speech is effortful and non fluent. they are monotone, and dont have motor control over their mouth.
How does cholinesterase inhibitors help prevent dementia
There is a decrease in acetylcholine in the brains of people with dementia, cholinesterate inhibitors can stop decrease of Acetyl and keep it around for longer, offsetting the onset of dementia.
What are drug treatments fo alzheimers
antidepressents and relaxants are used to offest the psychological symptoms of the diease. there are also anti bodies to help prevent build up of beta amyloid
What behavioural treatments are designed to prevent dementia
Psyhcotherpy, exercise and cognitive enhancements such as brain games. as well as helping sleep.
are the elderly more or less likely to have a mental illness
less
what is social selectivity
when you age instead of seeking out a large group of friends there is focus in have a small close knit group
what is cognitive reserve
people can compensate for disease of the brain by using alternate networks
what are the differences between dementia and delirium
delirium has rapid onset, concentration impairment rather than memory, symptoms get worse and better rather than gradual decline. can be treated
