Alzheimer’s Disease Overview

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of dementia cases is attributed to Alzheimer's disease?

70 to 80 percent

30 to 40 percent

50 to 60 percent

60 to 70 percent (correct)

Which neurotransmitter is particularly affected in Lewy body dementia?

GABA

Norepinephrine

Serotonin

Dopamine (correct)

What type of dementia is primarily caused by reduced blood flow to the brain?

Frontotemporal dementia

Mixed dementia

Vascular dementia (correct)

Lewy body dementia

Which of the following cognitive skills is most affected by Alzheimer’s disease?

Memory Signup and view all the answers

Which neurological disorder is characterized by a chronic loss of dopamine-producing neurons?

Parkinson’s disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following motor impairments can occur in dementia?

Rigidity and spasticity Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the progression of vascular dementia?

Stepwise progression Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT commonly associated with Lewy body dementia?

Shuffling gait Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the first visible symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Bradykinesia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes stage four of Parkinson’s disease?

Severe symptoms requiring help with daily activities Signup and view all the answers

How does the Hoehn and Yahr Scale categorize the progression of Parkinson’s disease?

Based on five distinct stages from mild to advanced Signup and view all the answers

What type of training can provide relief for individuals with Parkinson's disease?

Strength training Signup and view all the answers

What does a Berg Balance Scale score of 0 to 20 indicate for a person with Parkinson’s disease?

High risk of falls Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between executive function and falls risk in people with Parkinson’s disease?

Strong links suggest that cognitive decline increases fall risk. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about non-motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease is true?

They can impact emotional well-being and social functioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible complication of advanced Parkinson's disease?

Constant care needs Signup and view all the answers

At what age range is Parkinson’s disease most commonly diagnosed in the population?

Over 65 years old Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Dementia represents a decline in cognitive abilities impacting daily life, with about 50 million people affected globally, projected to reach 152 million by 2050.
Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for 60 to 70 percent of dementia cases, followed by vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
Alzheimer’s is characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to impaired neuron function and communication.
Key cognitive skills affected by Alzheimer’s include memory, language, and thinking, with a gradual progression over time.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia features abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies impacting dopamine and acetylcholine transmission, affecting movement and cognition.
Symptoms include altered attention, executive function difficulties, visual perception issues, fluctuations in alertness, hallucinations, and parkinsonism.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia results from diminished blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes or blood clots.
It primarily affects planning, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, progressing in a stepwise manner based on brain damage.

Motor Impairments in Dementia

Common motor issues include gait and balance difficulties, muscle weakness, rigidity, tremors, and coordination problems like apraxia and dyspraxia.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting motor coordination due to dopamine-producing neuron loss in the brain.
Involves both motor impairments (tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability) and non-motor impairments (cognitive issues, mood disorders, sleep disturbances).
Affects approximately 1-2% of individuals over 65 and 4-5% over 85, more prevalent in men and individuals of European descent.

Rehabilitation and Therapies for Parkinson’s

Physiotherapy interventions include strength training, gait and balance training, exercises for large range movements, and hydrotherapy.

Hoehn and Yahr Scale for Parkinson’s Disease

Five stages rate the severity of symptoms:
- Early stage: Mild tremors affecting one side of the body; daily life largely unaffected.
- Mid-stage: Symptoms worsen bilaterally; daily tasks become more challenging.
- Late mid-stage: Increased falls and balance issues; independence remains but is somewhat hindered.
- Advanced stage: Requires assistance for daily activities, potential need for assistive devices.
- Final stage: Severe mobility issues, high dependency on caregivers, possible emergence of non-motor symptoms like depression and hallucinations.

Falls Risk in Parkinson’s Disease

Patients exhibit a heightened falling risk noticeable by stage three, assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
BBS scores range from 0-56; lower scores indicate higher fall risks, with scores of 0-20 indicating a high risk.

Lifestyle Factors and Impairments

Lifestyle choices may protect against neurodegenerative diseases; aerobic exercise is currently being researched for its benefits.
Impairments amendable to physiotherapy include weakness, deconditioning, gait disturbances, and balance problems.

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Description

This quiz explores Alzheimer’s disease, a leading cause of dementia, impacting millions worldwide. Learn about its prevalence, symptoms, and the differences between various types of dementia. Test your knowledge on this critical health issue affecting cognitive abilities.