Alzheimer's

Question 1

Dr. Alois Alzheimer determined that __ __ creates __ __ by patient Auguste Deter

Answer 1

structural changes, clinical consequences

Question 2

Define Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 2

a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in dementia – impaired memory, thinking and behavior

Question 3

What are the clinical symptoms of AD?

Answer 3

the disease progresses slowly from mild forgetfulness to confusion and dementia

Question 4

What is the histopathology of AD?

Answer 4

extensive neurofibrillary changes in the brain in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic (senile) plaques and neuropil threads

Question 5

What are 10 warning signs of AD?

Answer 5

1. memory loss that interferes with daily life
2. difficulty planning or solving problems
3. trouble completing familiar tasks
4. confused about time or place
5. changes in vision and depth perception
6. trouble writing or saying words
7. losing things and trouble retracing their steps
8. impaired judgement
9. withdrawing from work or social activities
10. noticeable changes in mood or personality

Question 6

What are the primary causes of senile dementia and their percentages?

Answer 6

55% - AD
15% - AD + Multi-Infarct
22% Multi-Infarct Dementia
8% other

Question 7

T/F: AD is a form of dementia

Answer 7

true; dementia is an umbrella

Question 8

Despite the accumulation of __ __ and __ __, there is a loss of as much as __ of the brain mass

Answer 8

plaque amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, 1/3

Question 9

T/F: Neuronal loss alone can account for 1/3 brain loss in AD

Answer 9

false

Question 10

In addition to neuronal loss, there is an extensive retrograde degeneration which is…

Answer 10

where the neuronal cell bodies with a minimal neuritic arborization is present but has lost most of the neurites

Question 11

What are some of the theories for AD?

Answer 11

environment + genes (APOE, others) + aging

Question 12

T/F: prevalence of AD doubles with every decade after 60

Answer 12

true

Question 13

AD is more common in __ and is __ for relatives of affected individuals

Answer 13

females, higherW

Question 14

What are three life exposure factors of AD?

Answer 14

head trauma, high cholesterol, and lack of mental stimulation

Question 15

AD mutations found in __ genes

Answer 15

presenilin

Question 16

Define penetrance

Answer 16

% chance of getting disease when gene mutation is inherited

Question 17

Define prevalence

Answer 17

% of disease cases caused by the gene mutations

Question 18

Describe the Genetic See-Saw effect of AD

Answer 18

Penetrance v. prevalence, when one is high the other is low and vice versa

Question 19

Early onset AD genes including _, _, and _ suggest __ and yield a high __ risk

Answer 19

APP, PSEN1, PSEN2
penetrance(low), prevalence high
familial

Question 20

Late onset AD genes includes _ and more, suggest __ which may yield a __ familial risk

Answer 20

APOE
prevalence (low), penetrance high
modest to moderate

Question 21

Normal aging and HCHWA-D suggest __

Answer 21

beta-amyloidosis

Question 22

FTDP-17 which leads to __ mutations, suggests __ __ which leads to __

Answer 22

Tau
neurofibrillary degeneration
dementia

Question 23

What are the two types of treatments approved for AD by the FDA? What does it treat?

Answer 23

cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne)
memantine (Namenda) to treat the cognitive symptoms of AD

Question 24

What is the newly approved drug for AD?

Answer 24

lecanemab