Week 4 Abnormal psych

Question 1

What are four myths about wellbeing in later life

Answer 1

Forgetfullness, cognitive probelms, poorer health and depression are normal

Question 2

What is the cohort effect, give an example relating to mental health

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What is the definition of Major Neurocognitive Disorder

Answer 3

major cognitive decline from a previous level which is not delirirum, interferes with daily activities

Question 4

What is the defintion of mild Amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Answer 4

mild Decline in cognition which effects memory and does not interfere with daily life and is not better explained by another disoder

Question 5

What is the defintion of mild nonmnestic mild cognitive impairment

Answer 5

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

Question 6

True or false, people who have amnestic MCI are unlikely to get dementia

Answer 6

False, they are the most likely out of amnestic and non amnestic patients to develop dementia

Question 7

Why is prevelence of MCI over estimated in research studies?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what are some risk factors for going on to get dementia after a aMCI diagnosis

Answer 8

Older age, APOE allele, obesity, smoking and cadiovascular disease

Question 9

What are protective factors from dementia after an aMCA diagnosis

Answer 9

Education, increased hippocampal size, diet, exercise

Question 10

What are the 3 main types of dementia

Answer 10

Alzheimers, frontotemporal and vascular.

Question 11

What is Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 11

The most common form of dementia characterised by progressive cognition deterioration

Question 12

How long after onset is Alzheimer’s diease diagnosed

Answer 12

Often decades go by before a diagosis. the brain begins to change long before symptoms are noticed.

Question 13

Describe Plaques as part of the Pathology of Alzeimers Disease

Answer 13

the protien Beta-amyloid is flushed cells and accumlated into clumps which make plaques this effects tau protiens.

Question 14

Describe the Tangles as part of the Pathology of Alzeimers Disease

Answer 14

Tau protien in axons naturally keeps axons stable, eventually the tau protien shrivels and chnages shape causing deformation of the neurons

Question 15

How heritable is Alzhiemers disease?

Answer 15

Twin studies show it to be 79% heritable

Question 16

What is the largest risk allele associated with alzheimers

Answer 16

APOE-4 gene on the 19 chromosomes

Question 17

What gene is the gene to protect against alzheimers

Answer 17

APOE-2 or APOE-3

Question 18

What is the connection between risk alleles and dementia

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What is the Nun study?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is evidence that puzzles and crosswords fight Alzhiemers?

Answer 20

Even people who have plaques and tangles show less Alzhiemers symptoms if they do alot of brain games

Question 21

How are biomarkers for Alzheimers found?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What is vascular cognitive impairment

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

what is the overlap between alzhiemers and Vascula dementia?

Answer 23

About 50% of people with Alzhiemers also have Vascular dementia

Question 24

What is the diagnositc criteria for Vascular dementia

Answer 24

Impairment and memory and 2 other cognitive domains which impacts daily life. There must be a relationship between cognitive decline and cerebrovasular disease.

Question 25

What is the most common barin injury to result in vascular dementia

Answer 25

Stroke, this causes a clot in the brain which impedes circulation and causes death to neurons.

Question 26

What determines which cognitive domains are impacted in vascula dementia

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

What is frontotemporal dementia

Answer 27

This is dementia caused by a loss of neurons in the frontal and temporal area.

Question 28

True of false, frontotemporal dementia is the most common and has the earliest age of onset

Answer 28

False, Alzheimers is most common, but FTD does has the earlier age of onset

Question 29

What are some impacts associated with Frontotemporal Dementia

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Define Varient FDT, how is it diagnosed

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

What is semantic dementia how is it diagnosed

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What is progressive non-fluent aphasia

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

How does cholinesterase inhibitors help prevent dementia

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

What are drug treatments fo alzheimers

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What behavioural treatments are designed to prevent dementia

Answer 35

Psyhcotherpy, exercise and cognitive enhancements such as brain games. as well as helping sleep.

Question 36

are the elderly more or less likely to have a mental illness

Answer 36

less

Question 37

what is social selectivity

Answer 37

when you age instead of seeking out a large group of friends there is focus in have a small close knit group

Question 38

what is cognitive reserve

Answer 38

people can compensate for disease of the brain by using alternate networks

Question 39

what are the differences between dementia and delirium

Answer 39

delirium has rapid onset, concentration impairment rather than memory, symptoms get worse and better rather than gradual decline. can be treated