Chapter 14: Late Life & Neurocognitive Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering late-life psychological shifts and the clinical definitions, symptoms, and treatments of neurocognitive disorders including Alzheimer's, FTD, Vascular Dementia, and Delirium.

Neurocognitive disorders (NCDs)

Disorders defined by the DSM-V in which cognitive impairment is the core feature and primary diagnostic attribute.

Social Selectivity

The theory that as people age, their priorities shift away from forming new relationships toward cultivating and appreciating existing meaningful relationships with family and close friends.

Dementia

A deterioration of cognitive abilities leading to an impaired state of functioning that can be progressive, static, or remitting.

Delirium

A state of mental confusion characterized by disturbances in attention/awareness, rapid onset, and daily fluctuations in lucidity.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder (DSM-V Criterion)

A condition requiring concern from the patient or clinician and substantial neurocognitive impairment documented by standardized testing that interferes with independence.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

A progressive and irreversible deterioration of brain tissue resulting in cognitive and behavioral symptoms; the $7\text{th}$ leading cause of death for those aged $65$ and older.

Beta-amyloid plaques

Clusters of protein that show a marked increase in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Tau-predominant structures that increase in the brain tissue of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Apolipoprotein E-4 (APOE-4)

A specific gene identified as a genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

A disorder involving neuronal death in the frontal and temporal regions, typically occurring in the mid-$50s$ and progressing rapidly.

Hyperorality

A diagnostic criterion for Frontotemporal Dementia characterized by the tendency to put nonfood objects in the mouth.

Vascular Dementia

Dementia resulting from vascular disease or injury, most commonly following a series of strokes leading to brain infarction or white matter lesions.

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Medications like donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) that slow cognitive decline by interfering with the breakdown of acetylcholine.

Memantine (Namenda)

A medication for dementia that affects glutamate receptors believed to be involved in memory.

Atypical antipsychotics

Drugs commonly used to address confusion, delusions, and hallucinations associated with delirium.