Week 9 - Dementia Flashcards
what are 2 classes of meds used for treatment of dementia
- cholinestrase inhibitors
- N Methyl D Aspartate receptor blockers (NMDA)
what part of our brain is responsible for memory
- hippocampus
what part of our brain is responsible for speech, perception, reasoning, and other high fnxns
- cerebral cortex
what happens as our neurons degenerate during dementia
- we lose the important nt Ach
what is the function of Ach
- imp for memory
what do alzheimer meds work to do?
- preserve Ach
what is the MOA of cholinesterase inhibitors
- prevents the breakdown of ach by acetylcholinesterase
= increased availability of ach
do dementia meds cure AD?
- no
- only delay the progression of the illness
what are cholinesterase meds used for?
- mild to mod symptoms of dementia
list adverse effects of cholinesterase meds (5)
cholinergic effects
- NVD
- dizziness
- HA
who are 2 types of pts you should be cautious about with cholinesterase meds? why?
- pts with asthma or COPD
- bc it can cause bronchoconstriction
what are 2 types of cholinesterase meds for dementia
- donepezil (aricept)
- rivastigmine (exelon)
what is the MOA of NMDA receptor antagonists
- maintains a balance between calcium influx & glutamate by limiting calcium influx
NMDA receptors regulate Ca entry into the neurons
what is the fnxn of glutamate
- imp for learning & memory
what are NMDA receptor antagonists indicated for
- mod to severe AD
- can slow the decline in fnxn for pts & improve symptoms
