Later Life Disorders Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the typical age of onset for Alzheimer’s disease?
65 years old
Alzheimer’s disease typically has an insidious onset around this age.
What are some risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease?
- Age
- Family history
- Female gender
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Medical conditions
These factors increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
What are the mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
- Memory impairment (new or recall)
- Word finding difficulties
- Executive dysfunction
These symptoms indicate early stages of cognitive decline.
What characterizes the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease?
- Continued deterioration
- Reduced spatial and motor function
- Delusions and hallucinations
Patients experience worsening cognitive and functional abilities.
What are the severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
- Flat affect
- Agitation
- Wandering
- Incontinence and motor issues
These symptoms reflect significant loss of function and autonomy.
What are the main aetiological factors for Alzheimer’s disease?
- Genetic risk
- Neurofibrillary tangles
- Neuritic senile plaques
- Non-biological factors (e.g., cognitive ability)
These factors contribute to the development and progression of the disease.
What is the aetiology of vascular dementia?
- Stroke
- Anoxia/hypoxia
- Microvascular disease
Vascular dementia comprises 10-30% of dementia cases.
What characterizes vascular dementia?
- Sudden onset
- Focal neurological symptoms
- Gait and muscle weakness
- History of past strokes
These features distinguish it from other types of dementia.
What are the symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia?
- Poor visuospatial abilities
- Parkinsonism
- Visual hallucinations and delusions
- Fluctuations in cognitive function
- Sleep abnormalities
These symptoms arise from protein deposits that affect nerve cells.
What defines Frontotemporal Dementia?
- Frontotemporal network dysfunction
- Personality and behavioral changes
- Inappropriate or impulsive behaviors
- Muscle weakness and coordination issues
- Executive function and language changes
- Earlier onset
- Memory decline
This type of dementia is associated with proteinopathies in brain lobes.
What are the key symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
- Bradykinesia
- Resting tremors
- Postural instability
These symptoms are linked to the destruction of dopaminergic cells.
What risk factors are associated with Parkinson’s disease?
- Mood and anxiety comorbidity
- Occupational exposure to pesticides
- Industrial pollutants
These factors may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
What are the symptoms of geriatric depression and dysthymia?
- Difficult to distinguish from other conditions
- Chronic poor prognosis
- Greater cognitive dysfunction
Treatment options include CBT, IPT, and SSRIs.
What defines delirium?
- Altered state of consciousness
- Acute onset
- Reversible disturbance
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disruption of sleep/wake cycle
- Incoherent speech
- Memory impairment
- Perceptual disturbances
- Mood/activity swings
Delirium is characterized by a rapid change in attention and cognition.
