Module 11: Neurocognitive Disorders; The Law and Mental Health

Question 1

proportion of pop that is 65+

Answer 1

same proportion of pop that is

Question 2

default network of older adults (2)

Answer 2

(1) involves more brain areas (2) more difficult to turn off

Question 3

gene associated w Alzheimer’s disease + connected w IQ declines in old age

Answer 3

APOE-4; gene that creates apolipoprotein

Question 4

factors associated w/ protecting brain from declines in functioning w old age (3)

Answer 4

(1) built up processing reserves in earlier life (2) exercise (3) maintenance of social support

Question 5

delirium (2)

Answer 5

(1) short-term state of confusion/cognitive functioning (2) often caused by toxins (alcohol, infections, phys illnesses)

Question 6

symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (2)

Answer 6

(1) loss of memory and learning abilities (2) absence of other medical conditions contributing to symptoms

Question 7

genetic factors associated w early onset of Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 7

Mutations in APP genes, esp PSEN1 + PSEN2

Question 8

genetic factors associated w late onset Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 8

ordered by increased likelihood: APOE2; APOE4 (2-3x); 2APOE4 (7-15x)

Question 9

Alois Alzheimer discovered

Answer 9

neurofibrillary tangles + neuritic plaques made of amyloid in 1st Alzheimer’s pt

Question 10

cause of vascular neurocognitive disorder

Answer 10

small strokes depriving neurons of oxygen

Question 11

behavioral/personality changes due to frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder (7)

Answer 11

(1) lack of awareness (2) lack of insight (3) indifference (4) inappropriate behaviors (5) stereotyped behaviors (6) aggression (7) loss of inhibitions

Question 12

brain changes due to frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder

Answer 12

reduced volume of anterior frontal and temporal lobes

Question 13

concussion

Answer 13

mild traumatic brain injury

Question 14

second concussion is more damaging if it ….

Answer 14

occurs w/in 10 days following 1st concussion

Question 15

symptoms of Lewy body dementia (3)

Answer 15

(1) changes in alertness and attentional abilities (2) visual hallucinations (3) symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease

Question 16

symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (6)

Answer 16

loss of motor control (i.e. tremors, slow movements, limb stiffness, poor balance, and coordination)

Question 17

brain damage involved in Parkinson’s disease

Answer 17

loss of neurons in substantia nigra of the brain stem

Question 18

cause of executive system problems in Parkinson’s disease

Answer 18

migration of Lewy bodies from motor areas to the frontal lobes

Question 19

STD that can cause dimensia

Answer 19

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) if it advances to acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Question 20

cause of Huntington’s disease

Answer 20

single dominant gene; if parent has Huntington’s, there is 50% change offspring will express dominant gene

Question 21

cause of prion disease

Answer 21

infectious pathogens “prions”; can be contracted by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)

Question 22

M’Naghten rule (insanity plea)

Answer 22

not guilty if behavior is product of mental illness and did not know wrongness of behavior when action was committed

Question 23

volitional test (insanity plea)

Answer 23

not guilty if mental illness results in an inability to control behavior even if wrong-doing is known

Question 24

Durham rule (insanity plea)

Answer 24

no guilty if behavior is product of mental disease

Question 25

how did American Law Institute Rule broaden M'Naghten rule?

Answer 25

insanity plea allowed if indv lacks substantial capacity to appreciate wrongfulness of acts, or if unable to conform to requirements of law

Question 26

changes made by Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 to insanity plea (2)

Answer 26

removed possibility of pleading "inability to control one's behavior"; focuses only on person's inability to appreciate wrongdoing at time of acts as a consequence of severe mental disease or defect

Question 27

"guilty but mentally ill"

Answer 27

serves same sentence as any other criminal but must receive mental treatment while serving sentence

Question 28

Kendra's Law

Answer 28

laws across nation that force mentally ill to take meds for good of community

Question 29

requirements for demonstrating competency in trial (4)

Answer 29

ability to (1) communicate a choice to court and jury (2) understand relevant info (3) appreciate nature of situation + its consequences (4) rationally manipulate info

Question 30

revolving door phenomenon

Answer 30

mentally ill people break law due to untreated mental disorder >> treated in jail >> released and return to mentally disordered state >> break law

Question 31

Tarasoff II decision (2)

Answer 31

requires therapists to report to authorities or notify target if pt is a serious threat; patient-client confidentiality does NOT apply when another is in danger

Question 32

informed consent (ethicists)

Answer 32

right of client to know what Tx's and possible outcomes prior to undergoing Tx so they can determine whether or not to participate

Question 33

confidentiality requires therapists to

Answer 33

NOT discuss info learned through therapy w/out client's consent

Question 34

confidentiality in cases involving couples who went to same therapist

Answer 34

released consent (of info) may be contradictory by the two parties

Question 35

(T/F) indv's can be involuntarily committed based solely on need for Tx of mental illness

Answer 35

FALSE

Question 36

what must be demonstrated to be involuntarily committed? (2)

Answer 36

must show both need for Tx of mental illness + pose a danger to himself or others

Question 37

sexually violent/dangerous person laws

Answer 37

only laws that allow people to be detained after serving their sentence on the grounds that they might pose a danger to public

Question 38

sentences that are NOT legally constitutional for those who commit crimes under age of 18

Answer 38

death or life in prison w/out parole