What Matters
In the initial work up of dementia, screening for this vitamin deficiency and endocrinologic disorder with these tests is indicated to rule out reversible causes of dementia
What is B12 and TSH levels ?
Note: The American Academy of Neurology recommends the routine measurement of thyroid function, vitamin B12 level, and a neuroimaging study in the initial evaluation of dementia. Potentially reversible causes of dementia include: hypothyroidism, vitamin B12/B9/B1 deficiency, NPH, neurosphillis, subdural hematoma, medication - induced, or depression-induced dementias.
Second line agent used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease that works as an antagonist of the N-methyl D aspartate (NMDA) receptor
What is Memantine ?
Genetic syndrome characterized by early-onset Alzheimer's dementia and intellectual impairment, a single palmar crease, prominent epicanthal folds, and a flat nasal bridge
What is Down's syndrome ?
Also accept: Trisomy 21
Dementia syndrome characterized by gait abnormalities, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus ?
This type of dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
What is Vascular Dementia?
7-stage tool for assessing progression of cognitive decline from normal aging to severe dementia.
What is GLOBAL DETERIORATION SCALE?
First line medication administered for Alzheimer's disease
What is Donepezil ?
Also accept: acetylcholineesterase inhibitors, tacrine, rivastigmine, and galantamine.
Note: patients with alzheimer's disease have reduced cerebral production of choline acetyl transferase. This leads to decreased acetylcholine synthesis and impaired cortical cholinergic function. Cholinesterase inhibitors increase cholinergic transmission by inhibiting cholinesterase at the synaptic clef.
This type of care focuses on providing comfort and quality of life for patients with advanced dementia
What is Palliative Care
Diagnosis suggested in the patient with dementia, hyperactive tendon reflexes with babinski signs, loss of vibration & position sense and a blood smear with hypersegmented neutrophils
What is B12 deficiency?
Virus resulting in behavioral change, aphasia, paralysis, or coma in a patient with HIV and well demarcated, asymmetric lesions in the periventricular & subcortical white matter on neuroimaging
What is JC virus ?
Note: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a diffuse demyelinating lesion affecting oligodendrocytes in the CNS. It is caused by the JC virus and seen in patients with HIV/AIDs. On neuroimaging, well demarcated, asymmetric lesions in the periventricular and subcortical white matter are the hallmark.
Neuroimaging findings in the dementia syndrome characterized by behavioral abnormalities including apathy, disinhibition, food fetishes, compulsions, speech and language deficits with relative sparing of memory
What is atrophy of the frontal and temporal cortex ?
Also accept: atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes, atrophy of the insular cortex
Vitamin deficiency suggested by the constellation of symptoms including dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis
What is niacin deficiency ?
Also accept: Vitamin B3 deficiency
Screening tool that helps confirm the presence of cognitive impairment and often the first test in evaluation of suspected dementia
What is the mini-mental status examination ?
Also accept: montreal cognitive assessment
This type of exercise is beneficial for maintaining physical and cognitive health in dementia patients.
What is aerobic excercise?
Condition characterized by a rapid onset of cognitive decline, waxing and waning level of consciousness, and visual hallucinations that is almost always reversible
What is delirium ?
This professional helps dementia patients with daily living activities and maintaining independence.
Occupational therapist
The lack of understanding, awareness, or acceptance that one has a medical condition
What is anosognosia ?
Medical term used to describe the inability to interpret sensation and subsequently recognize faces, objects, words, or emotions of others
What is agnosia ?
Note: Dementia is characterized by amnesia, a deficit in memory; apraxia, the inability to perform purposeful tasks; agnosia, the inability to interpret sensation and recognize objects; and aphasia, difficulties in speech and language.
This imaging technique is often used to help diagnose dementia.
What is MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Major susceptibility gene conferring increased risk of Alzheimer's disease
What is apolipoprotein e4 ?
Also accept: (APOe4)
Visual hallucinations, akinesia, rigidity, REM sleep behavioral disorder, fluctuating alertness, and sensitivity to both L-dopa and antipsychotics
What is Lewy Body Dementia?