Chapter Eighteen: Disorders of Aging and Cognition

late-onset alcoholism

when alcohol use disorders begin in a person's 50s or 60s

delusional disorder

a kind of psychotic disorder in which people develop beliefs that are false but not bizarre

Delirium

a major disturbance in attention and orientation to the environment

neurocognitive disorder

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

major neurocognitive disorder

when the decline in cognitive functioning is substantial and interferes with a persons ability to be independent

mild neurocognitive disorder

when the decline in cognitive functioning is modest and doesnt interfere with a persons ability to be independent

Alzheimers disease

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

early onset

when Alzheimers disease appears in middle age

late onset

when Alzheimers disease appears after the age of 65

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

neurofibrillary tangles

twisted protein fibers found within the neurons of the hippocampus and certain other brain structures

prefrontal cortex

part of the brain that enables humans to hold info temporarily and continue working with the info as long as its needed

autoimmune theory

changes in aging brain cells may trigger an autoimmune response that helps lead to the disease

viral theory

a virus may cause Alzheimers, especially in cases of particularly fast-moving forms

biomarkers

biochemical, molecular, genetic, or structural characteristics that usually accompany a disease

Vascular neurocognitive disorder

blood flow to specific areas of the brain is cut off after a stroke, damaging the areas

Frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder

rare disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes

movement problems

severe twitching and spasms

Parkinsons disease

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

geropsychology

the field of psychology concerned with the mental health of elderly people

Parkinson’s disease

Slowly progressive neurological disorder marked by tremors, rigidity, and unsteadiness

Frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder

Rare disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

Blood flow to specific areas of the brain is cut off after a stroke, damaging the areas

Biomarkers

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

Autoimmune Theory

Changes in aging brain cells may trigger an autoimmune response that helps lead to the disease

Viral Theory

A virus may cause Alzheimer’s, especially in cases of particularly fast-moving forms

Prefrontal Cortex

Part of the brain that enables humans to hold info temporarily and continue working with the info as long as it’s needed

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

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Twisted protein fibers found within the neurons of the hippocampus and certain other brain structures

Alzheimer’s disease

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

Early onset

When Alzheimer’s disease appears in middle age

Late onset

When Alzheimer’s disease appears after the age of 65

Neurocognitive Disorder

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

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

When the decline in cognitive functioning is substantial and interferes with a person’s ability to be independent

Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

When the decline in cognitive functioning is modest and doesn’t interfere with a person’s ability to be independent

Delirium

A major disturbance in attention and orientation to the environment

Delusional Disorder

A kind of psychotic disorder in which people develop beliefs that are false but not bizarre

Old Age

Years past age 65