Memory, Amnesia & Alzheimer's Disease

These flashcards cover key concepts related to memory disorders, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, and types of amnesia.

Dementia

A group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive disorder that results in dementia and death, characterized by selective memory declines.

Amnesia

A deficit in memory caused by brain damage, disease, or psychological trauma.

Neurofeedback

A type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity to teach self-regulation of brain function.

Alexithymia

A difficulty in experiencing, recognizing, and expressing emotions.

Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (EOAD)

Alzheimer's diagnosed before the age of 65, making up 5-10% of all AD cases.

Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD)

Alzheimer's diagnosed after the age of 65, comprising 90-95% of AD cases.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Cognitive symptoms that precede Alzheimer's diagnosis, not definitive.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Aggregations of hyperphosphorylated tau protein that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid plaques

Clumps of beta-amyloid protein that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, disrupting cell function.

Brain atrophy

Shrinkage of the brain tissue due to loss of neurons, commonly observed in Alzheimer's disease.

Tau protein

A stabilizing protein that, when misfolded, contributes to neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's Disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

The clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, used in diagnosing Alzheimer's through biomarker analysis.

Korsakoff's Syndrome

Amnesia attributed to thiamine deficiency, often associated with chronic alcohol abuse.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories after a brain injury.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to recall memories prior to a brain injury.

Explicit memory

Facts and experiences that can be consciously recalled; includes episodic and semantic memory.

Implicit memory

Unconscious memory for skills and procedures, demonstrated through performance rather than recollection.