Degenerative Diseases Flashcards
(43 cards)
What is dementia?
Progressive impairment of multiple domains of cognitive function in alert patient leading to loss of acquired skills and interference in occupational and social role
What type of diagnosis is dementia?
Clinical diagnosis
What does the diagnosis for dementia consist of?
History and examination
How is dementia commonly seen in older people?
Memory generally worsens
Becoming more forgetful and start doing odd things
Who does dementia commonly affect?
Disease of the elderly
As age increases how does dementia risk change?
Dementia risk increases
What are the causes of late onset dementia?
Alzheimer’s
Vascular dementia
Lewy body
What are the causes young onset dementia?
Alzheimer’s
Vascular
Frontotemporal
Other - alcohol, genetics (huntington’s), infection (HIV), inflammatory (MS)
How is dementia diagnosed?
History
Examination
Investigations
What investigations should be done for dementia?
Routine bloods CT/MRI CSF EEG Genetics
Can just a patient history give you a diagnosis for dementia?
No
You need an independent witness history
What should be examined for suspected dementia?
Memory attention span Language Behavioural Emotion Executive function Apraxias Agnosias Neuropsychological assessment
What is the speed of progression in CJD?
Rapid
What is the speed of progression in vascular dementia?
Stepwise progression
What can added sign of abnormal movements suggest?
Huntington’s
Which type of dementia is suggested with Parkinsonism?
Lewy body
What is the commonest neurodegenerative condition?
Alzheimer’s disease
What are the signs of temporo-parietal dementia?
Early memory disturbance
Language and visuospatial problems
Personality preserves until later
What are the signs of frontotemporal dementia?
Early change in personality and behaviour
Often change in eating habits
Early dysphagia
Memory/visuospatial relatively reserved
What is the non-pharmalogical Rx for dementia?
Information and support Dementia services OT Social work Respite Voluntary organisations
What is the specific treatment for frontotemporal dementia?
None available
What is the specific Rx for alzheimers +/- lewy body dementia?
Cholinisterase inhibitors Donepezil Rivastigmine Galantamine NMDA antagonist
What is parkinsonism?
A clinical syndrome with 2 of: Ð Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) Ð Rigidity (stiffness) Ð Tremor (shakiness) Ð Postural instability (unsteadiness / falls)
Where is the pathology in parkinsonism?
Basal ganglia
