Week 8.1 Introduction to Cognition & Mental health

Identify the 6 domains of cognition

1. Attention

   
   

2. Language

   
   

3. Memory and learning

   
   

4. Executive function

   
   

5. Perceptual-motor function

   
   

6. Social cognition

   
   

Types of attention

• Divided attention (2 or more tasks at once)

• Walking and talking

• Sustained attention (attention span)

• Selective attention (attending to 1 task while ignoring distractions)

• hard for these folks to meet in a busy place

• Processing speed (ability to process information quickly)

If someone has neglect they have trouble with

Attention

what brain structure responsible for memory

hippocampus

Long term Memory has two types of learning

implicit and explicit

Explicit learning

Conscious retention and storage of knowledge

• Studying for exam

Implicit learning

• Unconscious remembering

Hemispatial neglect vs hemianopia?

Neglect: fails to attend to one side of space; hemianopia: loses vision in half of the visual field.

cognitive tests commonly used in clinical practice

• 1. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)

• 2. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

MoCA is better to MMSE to determine MCI Clinical diagnosis:

• Neuropsychologists, OT, SLP

1. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The MMSE is a quick widely 30-point quiz doctors use to check for memory and thinking problems like dementia.

• Those who have low education, or those who are high intellect will give false positive

• Score of <25/30 suggests dementia

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

The MoCA is a more sensitive 10-minute screening tool than the MMSE, specifically designed to catch mild cognitive impairment that affects attention, language, and visuospatial skills.

• Cut-off Scores: ≥ 26

  
  

strategies to assist in interacting effectively with someone who has cognitive impairment

1. Provide structure and routine

2. Do activities of interest to patient

3. Reinforce adaptive behaviors

4. Reduce boredom

5. Give choices

6. Use part-task practice

2 first line of drug choices for depression

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

• Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Medication and rehab participation

Always look bad into the medication if your patient is feeling shitty: Monitor how medication effects influence safety and rehabilitation participation:

• Sleep

• nausea

• low Na+

Typical antipsychotic medication

block dopamine receptors

Adverse Effect for Typical antipsychotic medication

• Orthostatic hypotension

• Sedation

• Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS): Abnormal movements

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

• Bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, shuffling gait

• Akathisia