Year 3 AD recap Flashcards
Define dementia and give some examples
Umbrella term for conditions that share common symptoms such
as impaired memory, personality and behavioural changes
AD, FTD, vascular dementia, LBD, parkinsons disease
pathology/imaging findings of AD
generalised atrophy
beta amyloid plaques
neurofibrillary tangles
End stage histopathology of AD
beta amyloid plaques
Tau tangles
enlarged ventricles
tissue loss (especially cortical)
stage 1 of AD
short term memory
forgetting conversations
mild amnesia
first 3 years
Stage 2 of AD
2 – 10 years. Difficulty with speech, forgetting basic tasks
(eating, sleeping etc). Emotionally unstable
Stage 3 of AD
8 – 12 years. All intellectual functions decline. Personality
loss. Eventually almost vegetative state
How many stages of Braak are there?
6
How do the stages of braak relate to cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment: Braak 2-3
Mild AD – Braak (3) 4
Moderate AD – Braak 4-5
Severe AD – Braak 5-6
Endstage pathological markers of AD
beta amyloid plaques
tau tangles
diagnosing AD and dementia
General Physical Examination: • Cognitive testing such as MMSE • Brain Imaging • EEG • Genetics
Some examples of advanced diagnostics not yet routinely used for AD diagnosis
FDG-PET
CSF analysis
(f) MRI
EEG
List some causes of AD
age genetics (<1%) genetic risk factors environmental lifestyle and PMH
4 genes associated with AD
APP
PS1
PS2
APoE
What are AD risk genes associated with?
Amyloid production, transport & clearance
Inflammation
Metabolic function
Cytoskeletal function
Other risk factors for AD
smoking Obesity & diabetes Exposure to environmental toxins Stroke & heart disease sleep disorders depression vitamin deficiencies
