8 Questions
What is the primary characteristic of AD?
Progressive memory loss
What is the main component of neuritic plaques in AD?
Beta-amyloid
What is the function of tau protein in healthy neurons?
To maintain the orderly arrangement of neurotubules
What is the major known risk factor for AD?
Advancing age
What is the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on AD patients?
They produce modest improvements in cognition, behavior, and function
What is a common side effect of cholinesterase inhibitors?
Gastrointestinal effects
What is a potential consequence of increasing acetylcholine in the heart due to cholinesterase inhibitors?
Bradycardia
What is the difference between cholinesterase inhibitors in terms of their efficacy?
They are all equally effective
Study Notes
Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
- Characterized by progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and inability to perform routine tasks of daily living.
- Histopathology features: neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
Neuritic Plaques
- Spherical, extracellular bodies with a beta-amyloid core surrounded by remnants of axons and dendrites.
- Beta-amyloid is present in high levels in AD patients, contributing to neuronal injury.
Neurofibrillary Tangles
- Result from production of a faulty form of tau, a protein that maintains the orderly arrangement of neurotubules in healthy neurons.
Risk Factor and Treatment
- Major known risk factor: advancing age.
- Treatment options: cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil) and memantine.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors:
- Increase availability of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses.
- Enhance transmission by cholinergic neurons that have not yet been destroyed by AD.
- Produce modest improvements in cognition, behavior, and function in 1 out of 12 AD patients.
- Do not cure AD or stop disease progression.
- Can cause typical cholinergic side effects: gastrointestinal effects, bradycardia.
- Memantine:
- Modulates the effects of glutamate at NMDA receptors.
- Approved only for moderate to severe AD.
- Has modest beneficial effects.
- Appears devoid of significant adverse effects.
Important Notes
- There is no solid evidence that drugs, nutrients, supplements, exercise, cognitive training, or any other intervention can prevent or slow AD progression.
This quiz covers the symptoms and histopathology of Alzheimer's disease, including memory loss, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and brain degeneration. Topics include neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and cholinergic neuron degeneration.
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