Neuromuscular and nervous systems pathology-Alzheimer's Disease Flashcards
(18 cards)
what kind of disease is alzheimer’s disease and what areas of the brain does this disease effect?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
results in deterioration and irreversible damage within the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas of the brain
alzheimer’s disease is a __ __ disease that results in deterioration and irreversible damage within the __ __ and __ areas of the brain
progressive, neurodegenerative
cerebral cortex, subcortical
what is the pathology of alzheimer’s disease?
neurons normally involved in acetylcholine transmission deteriorate w/in cerebral cortex and further damage to the nervous system is caused by the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
the pathology of alzheimer’s disease occurs when neurons normally involved in __ transmission deteriorate within the cerebral cortex and further damage to the nervous system is caused by the development of __ __ and __ __
acetylcholine
amyloid plaques; neurofibrillary tangles
is there an exact etiology of alzheimer’s disease that is known?
no
what are the hypothetical causes (5) of alzheimer’s disease?
lower levels of neurotransmitters
higher levels of aluminum in brain tissue
genetic inheritance
autoimmune disease
abnormal processing of amyloid
virus
the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increased with __ and there is higher incidence in men or women?
age; women
what are the initial signs and symptoms (3) of alzheimer’s disease?
change in higher cortical functions like difficulty with new learning and subtle changes in memory and concentration
the initial signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include changes in __ __ functions like difficulty with __ __ and subtle changes in __ and __
higher cortical functions; new learning, memory and concentrations
what are the signs of symptoms (8) of alzheimer’s disease as the disease progresses?
loss of orientation
word finding difficulties
depression
poor judgement
rigidity
bradykinesia
shuffling gait
impaired ability to perform self-care skills
what symptoms (4) present as alzheimer’s progresses and involve changes to movement/functional ability?
rigidity
shuffling gait
bradykinesia
impaired ability to perform self-care skills
what symptoms (4) present as alzheimer’s progresses and involve changes to cognition/behavior?
loss of orientation
word finding difficulty
depression
poor judgement
what signs and symptoms (4) are associated with end-stage alzheimer’s disease?
severe intellectual and physical destruction
incontinence
functional dependence
inability to speak
is there a curative treatment for alzheimer’s disease?
no
current medications prescribed to manage symptoms associated with alzheimer’s disease are administered to inhibit/alleviate/control what 3 things?
inhibit acetylcholinesterase
alleviate cognitive symptoms
control behavioral changes
name 3 common pharmacological agents prescribed to manage symptoms associated with alzheimer’s?
tacrine (Cognex)
donepezil (Aricept)
rivastigmine (Exelon)
*can have substantial side effects
what should physical therapy management for a patient with alzheimer’s disease focus on (2)?
maximizing remaining function
providing family/caregiver info
why do many patients with Alzheimer’s require a long-term Alzheimer’s care facility?
personality changes
aggressive behavior
end-stage complications
