Dementia Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are the six cognitive domains that dementia can affect?
Complex Attention
Executive Function
Learning & Memory
Language
Perceptual MF
Social Cognition
Describe the “Dementia” pneumonic for remembering the reversible cognitive impairment contributors.
D - Drugs
E - Emotional
M - Metabolic
E - Eyes & Ears
N - Nutrition
T - Tumors
I - Infection
A - Anemia
What two physiological changes occur within the brain in Alzheimer’s Disease?
1) Neurofibrillary Tangles
2) Beta Amyloid Plaques
What gene increases one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s?
APOE4
What symptoms are more common early on in Vascular Dementia than Alzheimer’s?
Changes to complex thinking & personality
Agitation & Moodiness
What dementia subtype has an earlier onset (40-50yrs) & often involves disinhibited behavior?
Frontotemporal Dementia
In Frontotemporal Dementia, what changes occur before memory loss?
Speech
Language
Personality
What type of protein deposits within neurons in Lewy Body Dementia?
Alpha-Synuclein
What presents either before or concurrently with motor symptoms in Lewy Body Dementia?
Cognitive Impairment & Visual Hallucinations
Along with previously listed presentations, what other distinct clinical feature is present in Lewy Body Dementia?
Postural Instability & Backwards Falls
What is most important in the diagnosis of dementia?
Collateral information
An MMSE score of </= ___ / 30 is considered to be abnormal & a positive flag for potential dementia.
26 / 30
T or F: A higher FAQ score indicates poorer function.
True!
When are benefits from Cholinesterase Inhibitors most commonly seen?
Within 3-6mths of initiation
Common Cholinesterase Inhibitor side effects?
NVD
Loss appetite
Urinary incontinence
Insomnia
Contraindications to using Cholinesterase Inhibitors?
Unctrl’ed Asthma / COPD
Bradycardia
Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities
Donepezil patients can continue receiving the drug so long as their MMSE score does not decrease by >__ pts & FAQ increases by __ pt(s).
MMSE: > 2pts
FAQ: 1pt
Explain Memantine’s MOA.
Blocks Glutamate at NMDA Receptors
Side effects of Memantine?
Dizzy / Confused
Insomnia
Akathisia
HTN
Headache
If discontinued, over what length of time should dementia drugs be tapered?
2-4wks
Lecanemab & Donanemab work by increasing what?
Beta Amyloid clearance
Major side effect to monitor for if newer MAB drugs are being used to treat dementia?
Brain bleeds & swelling
What are the only two indications for MAB usage?
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Early Alzheimer’s Disease
T or F: Methylphenidate usage is more effective in treating apathy & motivational losses than changes to external activity or environmental stimulation.
False!
