Dementia and Alzheimers

• What type of diseases are dementia and Alzheimer's classified as?

  Degenerative brain disorders

  
• Name two examples of degenerative diseases.

  Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
• What are two examples of biochemical diseases?

  Anxiety and depression
• What are common neurodegenerative diseases?

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Huntington's disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

  
• What does dementia represent?

  A collection of symptoms affecting the brain
• Does memory loss alone indicate dementia?

  No, it does not
• What significantly impairs intellectual functioning in dementia?

  Interference with normal activities and relationships
• What are some behavioral problems associated with dementia?

  Agitation, delusion, and hallucination
• What conditions are not classified as dementia?

  Age-related cognitive decline
• What can cause dementia aside from neurodegenerative diseases?

  Reactions or side effects to medications
• What metabolic problems can lead to dementia?

  Thyroid disease and hypoglycemia
• What nutritional deficiency can cause dementia?

  Inability to absorb vitamin B12
• What are common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

  Memory problems and odd behaviors
• What brain pathology is associated with Alzheimer's disease?

  Shrunken brain and protein clumps
• What is the most common neurodegenerative disease?

  Alzheimer's disease
• How does Alzheimer's disease affect the brain over time?

  It causes progressive loss of neuron connections

  
• What are the microscopic changes in Alzheimer's disease?

  Plaques and tangles inside neurons

  
• What are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease?

  Amyloid-B deposits and neurofibrillary tangles

  
• What is the amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease?

  It suggests amyloid-B aggregation drives AD
• What is the first step in Alzheimer's disease progression?

  Accumulation of amyloid-B

  
• How long can amyloid-B accumulation precede Alzheimer's symptoms?

  10 to 15 years
• What happens to brain functions as Alzheimer's disease progresses?

  Nearly all brain functions are affected

  
• What is a significant caveat to the amyloid hypothesis?

  No improvements in cognitive decline from trials
• What neurotransmitter pathway is disrupted in Alzheimer's disease?

  The cholinergic pathway
• What is the role of monoclonal antibodies in Alzheimer's treatment?

  They may clear beta-amyloid plaques

  
• What is the FDA's stance on aducanumab for Alzheimer's treatment?

  It granted accelerated approval
• What is a common side effect of lecanemab treatment?

  Fever, nausea, and dizziness
• What percentage of dementia patients experience behavioral symptoms?

  90%
• What is a common inappropriate prescription for dementia patients?

  Antipsychotic drugs
• What is the impact of depression on dementia patients?

  It diminishes quality of life
• What type of antidepressants are commonly prescribed for dementia?

  SSRIs like sertraline
• What are potential targets for Alzheimer's treatment?

  Prevention of apoptosis and protein aggregation
• What genetic mutations are linked to Alzheimer's disease?

  Mutations in APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2
• How does sex affect the incidence of Alzheimer's disease?

  Women have a higher incidence than men
• What lifestyle factors can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease?

  Diabetes, obesity, and smoking

  
• What is a strong risk factor for developing dementia?

  Old age
• What is the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in affluent countries?

  Decline in prevalence has been observed
• What is the impact of Alzheimer's disease on mortality?

  4th largest cause of death in industrialized countries
• What is the conclusion regarding Alzheimer's disease treatment?

  No effective therapy has been proven yet