Neuropathology of Aging

Question 1

True/False. Dementia is a temporary, acute process, whereas delirium is progressive and permanent.

Answer 1

False. Dementia is progressive and permanent. Delirium is an acute process that is reversible, if treated early.

Question 2

What is the second most common cause of dementia in developed nations?

Answer 2

Vascular dementia

Question 3

Familial Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to mutations of what genes?

Answer 3

beta-APP gene and presenilin genes

Question 4

“Ballon cells” are associated with what type of dementia?

Answer 4

Frontotemporal dementia

Question 5

What are neurotic senile plaques?

Answer 5

Seen in Alzherimer’s disease - plaques made of primarily beta-amyloid protein

Question 6

True/False. Trisomy 21 is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 6

True - due to mutation of beta-APP gene on chromosome 21

Question 7

What are the most common causes of reversible dementia?

Answer 7

Depression, alcohol dependence, normal pressure hydrocephalus

Question 8

This form of dementia is due to widespread, microscopic damage to deep layers of white matter.

Answer 8

Subcortical vascular dementia/ Binswanger’s disease

Question 9

What pathological finding is characteristic of Alzheimer’s and can be used to differentiate from vascular dementia?

Answer 9

Amyloid angiopathy

Question 10

Visual hallucinations are very associated with what type of dementia?

Answer 10

Lewy Body dementia

Question 11

What brain structures are most targeted in Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 11

Hippocampus, Amygdala

Question 12

This type of dementia is associated with mutations on chromosome 17 and brain atrophy.

Answer 12

Frontotemporal dementia - often misdiagnosed as a psychiatric condition

Question 13

What is leukoaraiosis?

Answer 13

Abnormal appearance of white matter around the lateral ventricles

Question 14

True/False. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neuropsychiatric conditions.

Answer 14

True - due to accumulation of methylmalonic acid

Question 15

This disease is a form of hereditary multi-infarct dementia.

Answer 15

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Angiopathy Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

Question 16

Gait abnormalities, dementia, and incontinence may be associated with what life-threatening condition?

Answer 16

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Question 17

What is the most common cause of dementia in developed nations?

Answer 17

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 18

The presence of this allele variant is most associated with Alzheimer’s development.

Answer 18

ApoE-E4 - mediates uptake of cholesterol and triglycerides