Abnormal Psychology: Chapter 15 Study Set

Geropsychology

Geropsychology

The field of psychology concerned with the mental health of older adults.

Delirium

A rapidly developing, acute disturbance in attention and orientation that makes it very difficult to concentrate and think in a clear and organized manner.

Neurocognitive Disorder

A disorder marked by a significant decline in at least one area of cognitive functioning.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

A neurocognitive disorder in which the decline in cognitive functioning is substantial and interferes with a person’s ability to be independent.

Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

A neurocognitive disorder in which the decline in cognitive functioning is modest and does not interfere with a person’s ability to be independent.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common type of neurocognitive disorder, usually occurring after the age of 65, marked most prominently by memory impairment.

Senile Plaques

Sphere-shaped deposits of beta-amyloid protein that form in the spaces between certain neurons and in certain blood vessels of the brain as people age. People with Alzheimer’s disease have an excessive number of such plaques.

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Twisted protein fibers that form within certain neurons as people age. People with Alzheimer’s disease have an excessive number of such tangles.

Tau Protein

Another protein that is key to the excessive formation of tangles.

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease that occurs before the age of 65.

Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein (beta-APP) & Presenilin Protein

Two proteins in which abnormalities or mutations can be transmitted. Occurs within Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease that occurs after the age 65.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Gene

Located on chromosome 19, this gene is generally responsible for the production of a protein that helps transport cholesterol in the bloodstream. Comes in three forms: E-2, E-3, and E-4 (the one thought to cause Alzheimer’s Disease).

Prefrontal Cortex

One of the most important brain structures in short-term memory.

Hippocampus, Amygdala, Thalamus, and Hypothalamus

Responsible brain structures for transforming short-term memory into long-term memory.

Acetylcholine, Glutamate, RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), and Calcium

Responsible for the production of the memory-linked proteins.

Zinc and Lead

Thought to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Autoimmune Theory

The theory suggesting that an autoimmune response, a mistaken attack by the immune system against itself, helps lead to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Another type of neurocognitive disorder that is known to be caused by misshapen proteins called prions.

Biomarkers

Biochemical, molecular, genetic, or structural characteristics that usually accompany a disease.

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

A disorder that follows a cerebrovascular accident, or stroke.

Frontotemporal Neurocognitive Disorder (Pick’s Disease)

A rare disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes.

Huntington’s Disease

An inherited disease in which memory problems — along with personality changes, mood difficulties, and severe twitching and spasms — worsen over time.

Parkinson’s Disease

The slowly progressive neurological disorder marked by tremors, rigidity, and unsteadiness.

Lewy Body Disease

The disease in which a buildup of clumps of protein deposits are increased within many neurons.

Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, and Memantine

Drugs that are currently prescribed for Alzheimer’s patients to affect acetylcholine and glutamate.

Vitamin E

Thought to help slow down some of the cognitive difficulties experienced by people in the mild stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

Day-Care Facilities

Facilities for patients with neurocognitive disorders that provide treatment programs and activities for outpatients during the day and returning them to their homes and families at night.

Assisted-Living Facilities

Facilities in which those suffering from neurocognitive impairment live in cheerful apartments, receive needed supervision, and take part in stimulating activities.

Long-Term Care

A general term that may refer variously to the service offered outside the family in a partially supervised apartment, a senior housing complex for mildly impaired elderly persons, or a nursing home where skilled medical and nursing care is available around the clock.

Health-Maintenance (Wellness Promotion) Approach

A clinically suggested approach that involves the current generation of young adults being proactive in their own aging process.