Alzheimer's Disease Flashcards
(78 cards)
What is dementia?
Dementia is a broad term describing various conditions characterized by cognitive decline and memory impairment. It is a symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease
What is the most common type of dementia?
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia.
What are some other types of dementia?
Other types of dementia mentioned include Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Vascular Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).
What are the two main pathological hallmarks in the brain that mark Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?
AD is marked by the buildup of Amyloid Plaques and Tau Tangles (Neurofibrillary Tangles) in the brain.
What are Amyloid Plaques and where are they found in the brain?
Amyloid Plaques are extracellular deposits found between neurons. They are aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides.
What are Tau Tangles and where are they found? What is the normal function of tau protein?
Tau Tangles are intracellular abnormal protein deposits found within neurons. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein found in the axon that normally transports proteins and mRNA.
Where do the amyloid plaques and tau tangles typically first appear in the brain in AD?
These abnormalities typically appear first in the hippocampus and associated cortical regions, which are crucial for memory and learning.
How does the pathology spread as Alzheimer’s Disease progresses?
As the disease progresses, these pathological changes spread to other parts of the cortex and the brain, leading to widespread cognitive decline.
How do the brains of individuals with AD typically look different compared to normal brains?
Normal brains show tight-packed gyri, while AD brains show tissue loss, large ventricles, and significant degeneration, particularly in the hippocampus.
What is notable about the time course of Alzheimer’s Disease development?
The development of AD involves a long time course of events, making treatment difficult.
How early does amyloid plaque buildup begin before an AD diagnosis?
Amyloid plaque buildup begins decades before AD is diagnosed.
What are the initial effects of amyloid plaque buildup, and do they typically lead to an early diagnosis?
Initially, amyloid buildup may cause synaptic dysfunction and localized effects on synapses, possibly leading to subtle symptoms like aggression or vagueness. However, these are typically not alarming cognitive deficits that result in the need to get a diagnosis.
What happens with soluble amyloid beta (Aβ) early in AD development?
A significant accumulation of soluble amyloid beta (Aβ) occurs initially.
Can triggers increase soluble Aβ, and what happens if the insult is too large or repeated?
Some triggers like physical trauma, tiny strokes, or high fever might temporarily increase soluble Aβ as a protective mechanism. However, if the insult is too big, repeated, or due to genetic makeup, the Aβ does not decrease, leading to decades of plaque buildup.
What does continued Aβ exposure trigger?
Continued Aβ exposure triggers a feedforward mechanism, increasing plaque accumulation.
When is tau tangle buildup typically seen in the time course of AD?
Tau tangle buildup is seen later than amyloid plaque buildup.
What is closely linked to cognitive impairment and AD diagnosis in terms of pathology?
Substantial tau tangle accumulation is closely linked to cognitive impairment and causes loss of synapses, cell death, and loss of brain tissue, leading to AD diagnosis.
What kind of brain structure changes can occur before an AD diagnosis?
Brain structure changes, such as up to 15% loss of the hippocampus, can occur before AD is diagnosed.
How might patients initially cope with memory symptoms in the preclinical phase of AD?
Patients may initially learn to compensate for memory symptoms.
Are amyloid plaques sufficient by themselves for a diagnosable AD?
Plaques by themselves are not sufficient for a diagnosable AD; tau tangles are also needed.
What are some typical early symptoms of AD?
Typical early symptoms may include regularly forgetting recent events, names, and faces, becoming increasingly repetitive (like repeating questions), uncertainty about the date or time, regularly misplacing items, getting lost (especially in unfamiliar places), problems finding the right words, and changes in mood.
What happens to symptoms as AD develops?
As the disease develops, the ability to think and make decisions worsens. Communication and language become more difficult, and there is difficulty recognizing objects or familiar faces.
How does AD affect daily activities and motor functions as it progresses?
As AD develops, there is difficulty using household appliances or locating objects, changes in sleep patterns, and problems with walking, balance, and swallowing. Plaques reach all parts of the brain, affecting motor function. There is also an increased need for help with daily activities like dressing.
What kind of psychosis symptoms can occur in AD?
Psychosis symptoms can also occur, including delusions and hallucinations.
