neurocognitive disorders (3530 exam 2)

types of neuro disorders

delirium (short term, episodic, and reversible) and dementia (progressive, irreversible, and often permanent)

delirium

state of fluctuating, acute cognitive impairment that can be caused by a medical illness, medication, or substance use

• develops over a SHORT PERIOD OF TIME

• additional disturbance in cognition

• reversible

• symptom manifestation:

  • sudden onset, fluctuating course.

  • inattention, disorganized thinking

dementia

chronic, progressive cognitive impairment that can result from various causes, including Alzheimer’s and vascular disease

• cognitive decline - relative to previous levels

• multiple domains - impacts various cognitive areas, such as attention, memory, or language

  • fine motor skills affected first, then gross motor skills

• functional impairment - affects ADLs

• exclusion criteria - not attributed to delirium or other disorders

alzheimers

progressive memory loss, affecting cognition, behavior, and personality

frontotemporal lobar degeneration

impaired social behavior, language, and executive function

• ability to make good choices is impaired - very impulsive

lewy body

fluctuations in cognition, VISUAL HALLUCINATIONS, and parkinsonian features

• bug hallucinations are common

• gross muscle movements affected

vascular disease

cognitive impairment due to cerebrovascular disease

• high BP- plaque buildup - stroke/HD - blood cut off from brain

prion disease

damage brain tissue leading to neurocognitive impairment

huntingtons

GENETIC disorder impacting movement, cognition, and behavior

• moves swiftly

HIV infection

affects cognitive function through neuro complications

parkinsons

progressive neurological disorder causing cognitive decline

• gross motor movement

• high chance of developing Lewy Body

delirium etiology

• intoxication/withdrawal

• meds

• acute or chronic stress

• sleep deprivation

delirium comorbidities

• dehydration - fluid loss exacerbates

• electrolyte imbalance - confusion

• infections - sepsis and UTIs can trigger delirium

• other factors:

  • hepatic encephalopathy

  • metabolic disorders

  • tumors

  • B12 deficiency

alzheimers etiology

• atrophy/ shrinking of the brain