OPTA 222 (Dementia)
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a umbrella term used for diseases that cause cortical and sub cortical degeneration. It is fatal and irraversable.
What decreased functions happens in the cortical.
Memory, Cognitive skills, Behavior, and Personality
What decreased functions happens in the subcortical.
Changes in personality, Temperature dysregulation, Appetite dysfunction, Growth abnormalities, Emotional abnormalities
What is Alzheimers Disease
Actual cause is unknown but it is thought to be due to amyloid plaques and misformed tau (protein found in the brain)
Symtoms of Mild/Early Stages of Alzheimers
Misplacing objects, Forgetting names when introduced to new people, Difficulty performing tasks, Forgetting things just read or seen, Issues with planning/organization
Symtoms of Moderate/Intermediate Stages of Alzheimers
Moody or withdrawn, Can’t remember own demographic information, Confusion with orientation, Difficulty dressing for season, Wandering/getting lost, Personality changes/behaviors such as suspicious, delusions, repetitive behaviors, Sleep issues, Sundowning
Symtoms of Severe/Late Stages of Alzheimers
24 hour care required, Bowel/bladder control lost, Lose awareness immediate surrounding environment, Lose physical capabilities (walking, sitting, swallowing), Poor communication
Treatment for Alzheimers
Memory: Aricept
Behaviors: Treating symptoms, Antidepressants, anxiolytics (decrease anxiety), antipsychotics
Sleep changes: Treating symptoms, Sleeping pills, benzodiazepines (relaxants)
Agnosia
Impaired ability to identify objects despite intact sensory function
Apraxia
Impaired ability to do previously learned motor activities despite intact motor function
Aphasia
Impaired ability to comprehend or use language
Orientation
Person, Place and Time. Can either be O x 1,2 or 3 (scoring 1⁄3, 2⁄3, or 3/3)
Sundowning
Behavioural issues around the time the sun is setting
What is Vascular Dementia?
It is a type of dementia classified as resulting from limited blood flow to the brain due to a variety of reasons.
What condition can cause vascular dementia?
Small vessel disease (ex: atherosclerosis),Heart conditions, Stroke, Vascular brain changes
Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia
Smoking, High Cholesterol, High alcohol intake, Obesity
Signs and Symptoms of Vascular Dementia
Memory loss, impaired planning and judgment, uncontrolled laughing and crying, declining ability to pay attention, impaired function in social situations, and difficulty word finding
Treatment for Vascular Dementia
Can see improvements from treating the underlying disease, treatment that may improve blood flow
What is Lewy Body Dementia
One of the most common types of dementia associated with protein deposits (lewy bodies) in the brain
Risk Factors of Lewy Body
Age, Certain health conditions: Somewhat associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and REM sleep behavior disorder[No lifestyle factors have been linked]
Signs and symptoms of Lewy Body
Hallucinations, Unpredictable changes in concentration and attention, Poor cognitive function, Movement problems (look similar to Parkinson’s Disease), Malfunctions in the autonomic nervous system
Treatment and Rehab role for Lewy Body
Medications help for short periods of time (can not permanently change symptoms), Rehab to maintain safety and function for as long as possible
What is Korsakoff Syndrome
Chronic memory disorder caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency
Risk factors for Korsakoff Syndrome
Anything that causes Vit B1 (thiamine) deficiency, Alcoholism, Malnutrition, Eating disorders, Cancer, Stomach disorders
Signs and Symptoms in Wernicke Syndrome. and Korsakoff Syndrome:
● Wernicke Syndrome:Mental status change, Ataxia (coordination), Eye abnormalities,Nystagmus (eyes jumping back and forth – usually horizontal), Loss of ocular (voluntary) motory control
● Korsakoff Syndrome:Memory impairment, thinking skills, social & attention behaviors are preserved,Poor muscle coordination, Unsteady gait, Paralysis of eye muscles (loss of ocular control), Rapid eye movements (nystagmus), Decreased fine motor skills
Treatment for Korsakoff Syndrome
Treating the underlying condition. Still has an eventual decline, Thiamine replacement therapy (IV), Abstaining from alcohol consumption, Rehab – cognitive rehabilitation
What is Pick’s Disease
An umbrella term for a group of disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, Has a younger age of onset, often occurring between the ages of 40-60
Signs and Symptoms of Pick's Disease
● Behavioral changes (frontal lobe):Inappropriate social behavior (more common), Apathy, Lack of inhibition,Decline in personal hygiene
● Speech and language problems (temporal lobe): No longer knowing word meanings, Difficulty using language appropriately, Difficulty forming sentences with proper structure
● Motor disorders: Tremor, Rigidity, Poor coordination, Difficulty swallowing, Muscle weakness