Neurocognitive Disorders (General)

dementia

used to refer to an individual experiencing difficulty withmemory, language, abstract thinking, reasoning, decision making, and problem-solving

neurocognitive disorder

term that replaced dementia

major neurocognitive disorder

diagnosed as a significant cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains

major neurocognitive disorder

neurocognitive disorder that interferes with independent functioning

minor neurocognitive disorder

modest cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one of more cognitive domains

minor neurocognitive disorder

neurocognitive disorder that does not interfere with independent functioning

neurocognitive disorder

determining exact type of disorder can be difficult bc SYMPTOMS OVERLAP with each other

alzheimer's disease

most well-known and most common neurocognitive disorder for older individuals

alzheimer's disease

Confusion, difficulty with change, and deterioration in language, problem-solving skills, and personality become evident

alzheimer's disease

has a gradual onset with subtle personality changes and memory loss that differs from normal age-related memory problems occurring first

alzheimer's disease

LATER STAGES:

individual loses physical coordination and is unable to complete everyday tasks,

alzheimer's disease

lose ability to respond to environment, carry convo, and even control movement

age

greatest risk factor for alzheimer's disease

familial alzheimer's disease

alzheimer's disease that is caused by deterministic genes

plaques

abnormal formations of protein pieces

beta-amyloid

comes from a larger protein found in fatty membrane surrounding nerve cells

beta-amyloid

comes from a larger protein found in the fatty membrane surrounding nerve cells

beta-amyloid

sticky and builds up into plaques

plaques

block cell communication and may also trigger an inflammatory response in the immune system = NEURONAL DEATH

tau

important protein that helps maintain the brain's transport system

tangles

twisted strands due to tau malfunctioning

tangles

disrupts the brain's transport system = nutrients & supplies can't move = they die

death of neurons

death of part of body that leads to brain shrinking and affecting all aspects of brain functioning

microglia

appears to be the link between amyloid and tau

amyloid plaques

between amyloid and tau, it appears first and does not cause alzheimer's, but can lead to the formation of the latter

tau tangles

can be formed due to amyloid plaques

tau tangles

responsible for the memory loss and cognitive deficits seen in those with Alzheimer's disease

microglia

its' weakening can cause the amyloid plaques to injure nearby neurons

sleep

plays a role in clearing both beta-amyloid and tau out of the brain

beta-amyloid

increased when individuals lose a night of sleep

tau tangles

people who had less slow-wave & deep sleep had more of _______

healthy diet, physical activity, not smoking, light-moderate alcohol intake, doing cognitively stimulating activities

5 low-risk lifestyle factors < (5,)

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

second most common neurocognitive disorder

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

associated with a blockage of cerebral blood vessels that affects one part of the brain

alzheimer's disease

associated with a general loss of brain cells

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

does not affect personality, but comes more abruptly and has a shorter course

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, or a history of strokes

Lewy bodies

microscopic protein deposits found in neurons seen postmortem

Lewy bodies

can lead to difficulties in thinking, movement, term-42behavior and mood

Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies

third most common form

Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies

movement symptoms are similar to those with Parkinson's disease and include tremors and muscle rigidity

Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies

disease lasts approximately 5 to 7 years from the time of diagnosis to death

Lewy bodies

can occur in both the cortex and brain stem = cognitive as well as motor symptoms

Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies

motor disturbances occur at the same time as the cognitive symptoms

Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy bodies

experience sleep disturbances, recurrent visual hallucinations, and are at risk for falling