Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, enhancing understanding and retention for exam preparation.

Cognitive Impairment

A decline in cognitive abilities, which may be mild or severe.

Dementia

A disabling cognitive change affecting more than one domain, with a progressive decline from a previous functioning level.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

A modest decline in cognitive abilities that does not interfere significantly with daily life.

Epidemiology of Dementia

Dementia predominantly affects older individuals, with 50 million cases worldwide expected to rise.

CFAS

Cognitive Function and Ageing Study that investigates dementia prevalence and incidence.

Cardiovascular Health

Improved cardiovascular health may contribute to a decrease in dementia incidence.

Amyloid Plaques

Extracellular protein deposits found in Alzheimer's disease brains, composed of amyloid beta.

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Medications that increase acetylcholine availability to counteract cholinergic neuronal loss in Alzheimer's.

APOE4

A major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease; higher risk associated with homozygous alleles.

Levodopa

A primary medication for Parkinson’s disease that converts to dopamine in the brain.

Dopaminergic Neurons

Neurons that produce dopamine, primarily affected in Parkinson’s disease.

Deep Brain Stimulation

A surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease involving implanting electrodes to stimulate targeted brain areas.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease

Early-onset Alzheimer's often resulting from genetic mutations, including APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

A group of disorders caused by progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

Lewy Body Dementia

A form of dementia characterized by abnormal protein deposits known as Lewy bodies.

Motor Neuron Disease (MND)

A degenerative disease affecting motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.

Huntington’s Disease

A genetic disorder caused by CAG repeats in the HTT gene, leading to movement and cognitive disturbances.

Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD)

A rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by prions, leading to severe cognitive impairment.

Neurodegeneration

The progressive loss of structure or function of neurons.

CSF Biomarkers

Biomolecular indicators in cerebrospinal fluid used to diagnose Alzheimer's.

Braak Hypothesis

A model explaining the progression of Lewy pathology in Parkinson’s disease starting in the gut.

PDD (Parkinson's Disease Dementia)

Dementia that occurs as a consequence of Parkinson's disease, typically in advanced stages.

Riluzole

A drug that modestly prolongs survival in motor neuron disease by reducing glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) Therapy

A treatment approach for Huntington’s disease aiming to reduce mutant Huntington protein.

Mild Cognitive Impairment vs Dementia

Mild cognitive impairment shows minimal functional impact, whereas dementia involves significant cognitive decline.

Cardinal Features of Parkinson's Disease

Bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability.

Common Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia.

Genetic Anticipation

A phenomenon where subsequent generations experience symptoms of a genetic disorder at an earlier age.

CAG Repeats in Huntington's Disease

Expanded trinucleotide repeats in the HTT gene that correlate with disease onset age.

Neurotransmission

The process of communication between neurons involving neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

Structural Brain Imaging

Medical imaging to observe atrophy and damage in specific brain regions associated with dementia.

Functional Imaging

Techniques such as PET scans used to assess brain function and metabolism.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter whose levels are decreased in Alzheimer's disease, targeted by cholinesterase inhibitors.

Tau Proteins

Proteins that stabilize microtubules; abnormal phosphorylation leads to tangles in Alzheimer's disease.

Downsides of Levodopa Treatment

Long-term use can cause dyskinesias and unpredictable symptom fluctuations.

Aducanumab

A monoclonal antibody that reduces amyloid levels, pending efficacy approval for Alzheimer's treatment.

Symptomatic Treatment of Dementia

Focus on alleviating symptoms rather than curing dementia itself.

Neuronal Death in AD

Cellular death leading to cognitive decline prominently affecting memory and recognition.

Biomarker Changes in AD

Changes in amyloid and tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid indicating Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Parkinsonism

Symptoms typical of Parkinson's disease often seen in other conditions such as Lewy body dementia.

Emotional Lability in MND

Inappropriate emotional responses occurring due to motor neuron involvement affecting brain areas.

Cognitive Reserve

The brain's resilience against the pathological damage of neurodegenerative diseases.

Disease Modification

Interventions focused on altering the course or progression of a disease rather than merely treating symptoms.

Chronic Illness Management

The ongoing care and treatment of chronic diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s.

TDP-43 Protein

A protein associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia.

Neurotoxic Effects

Harmful effects on neurons, often seen with certain genetic mutations in neurodegenerative diseases.

Restlessness and Agitation in AD

Behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease that can escalate in later stages of the illness.

Cognitive Impairment Risk Factors

Factors like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity contributing to increased dementia risk.

Social Isolation's Impact on Dementia

Lack of social engagement increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline.

Ageing Population and Dementia

The growing percentage of elderly individuals contributing to the rising prevalence of dementia cases.

Visual Hallucinations in LBD

Common non-motor symptoms experienced by individuals with Lewy body dementia.

Monoclonal Antibodies in Treatment

Innovative therapeutic approach targeting proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.

Pathological Protein Aggregations

Accumulations of misfolded proteins that characterize many neurodegenerative disorders.

Drug Sensitivity in LBD

Increased sensitivity to medications in patients with Lewy body dementia.

Progressive Brain Atrophy

The gradual loss of brain mass commonly seen in neurodegenerative diseases.

Psychoactive Effects

Alterations in mood or behavior often seen with neurodegenerative conditions.