what is pseudodementia?
apparent intellectual decline that stems from lack of energy or effort
what are some characteristics of someone with pseudodementia?
Forgetful, move slowly, low motivation, mental slowing
T/F: pseudodementia responds well to depression treatments
True!
what are 5 ways that pseudodementia can be distinguished from dementia? (hint: MUM DW)
- More rapid decline in mental function
- Usually not disoriented
- More likely to comment on memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating, but less difficulty w STM
- Writing, speaking, motor skills usually not affected
depression is more common in the ____ to ____ stages of dementia
early to moderate
T/F: as the severity of dementia increases, so does the prevalence of major depression
False! Prevalence of major depression decreases as severity of dementia increases
what are some of the main impacts of dementia on mental function? (hint: AJIPA)
- Abstract thinking
- Judgment and language
- Identification of people and objects
- Personality changes
- Ability to use object appropriately
what are the 2 key features of AD?
- Gradual loss of memory and function leading to total dependence on caregivers
- Eventual inability to recognize family/friends/self
what are the 5 areas of the brain affected by AD? (hint: HARME)
- Hippocampus*
- Amygdala*
- Regions of neocortex
- Mediotemporal
- Entorhinal area
what is the most prominent change when someone goes from asymptomatic to MCI?
amyloid markers
what is a potential diagnostic marker for MCI?
the degree of atrophy of medial temporal structures
what are the 3 diagnostic markers for AD? (hint: MAT)
- Medial temporal atrophy
- Abnormal neuronal CSF markers (tau and/or A𝛽)
- Temporoparietal hypometabolism
what areas of the brain are most affected by dementia, specifically AD?
memory and language
what areas of the brain are affected by vascular dementia (VaD)?
- Medial temporal atrophy
- Cortical and subcortical lesion
what are the clinical symptoms of VaD? (hint: LIDD)
- Language issues
- Impaired attention, planning
- Difficulties with complex activities
- Disorganized thought
what are the key features of dementia with lewy bodies? (hint: CAP SF)
- Complex visual hallucinations
- Autonomic symptoms
- Parkinsonism
- Sleep disturbances
- Fluctuating cognition
what areas of the brain are affected by DLB?
- Medial temporal lobe atrophy (less severe than AD)
- Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra
- Brainstem
- Neocortex
- Occipital hypoperfusion and hypometabolism
- Limbic
what are the key features of FTD? (hint: MMSD)
- More common in younger groups (50-60 year old)
- Memory often intact in early stage
- Significant changes in behavior and personality
- Disinhibition and impulsivity are common
what are the 3 types of FTD?
- Pick’s disease
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Corticobasal degeneration
which type of dementia has the slowest gait speed?
FTD
findings suggest that ____ is an underlying precursor to cog impairment
HTN
what amount of time should a pt participate in aerobic + strength exercises for significant cognitive and functional improvements?
6 mos (12-18 wks)
