Dementia

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of individuals aged 65 or over believed to have dementia do not receive a diagnosis?

30%

50%

20%

40% (correct)

What is the expected global increase in the number of people with dementia by 2050?

92 million

100 million

60 million

131 million (correct)

Which of the following is NOT considered a common treatable cause of cognitive impairment?

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Medication-induced problems

Lewy Body pathology (correct)

Hypothyroidism

At what age is the cut-off set for early versus late onset of dementia?

65 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the individual lifetime cost difference to care for someone with dementia compared to someone without it?

$200,000 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that contributes to the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in dementia pathogenesis?

Ageing Signup and view all the answers

Which dementia is primarily associated with the disruption of the memory system and executive functions?

Alzheimer's Disease Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathology is associated with the presence of aggregates like tau and TDP-43?

Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT directly attributed to the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in dementia?

Sleep disturbances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors increases the risk of dementia when exposure occurs during midlife?

Hypertension Signup and view all the answers

In the context of dementia, what does gliosis refer to?

Increased formation of glial cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cognitive functions is disrupted by the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates?

Visuospatial processing Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of social withdrawal on individuals with cognitive decline?

It exacerbates negative symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What role does inflammation play in the pathogenesis of dementia?

Contributes to cell death Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle factor affects dementia risk throughout a person's lifespan?

Diet Signup and view all the answers

Mild Cognitive Impairment is characterized by which of the following?

Early signs of cognitive dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathology is associated with fluctuations in cognition?

Lewy Bodies Pathology Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the relationship between midlife conditions and dementia risk?

Only genetic factors contribute to dementia risk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is incorrect regarding protective factors for cognitive health?

High sugar consumption prevents cognitive decline Signup and view all the answers

In the context of dementia, why is obesity in midlife a concern?

It increases the risk when it occurs during midlife Signup and view all the answers

What role does dietary habit play in the lifespan risk of dementia?

Dietary habits influence dementia risk across the lifespan Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dementias

Can be categorized based on distinct clinical features
Imaging, biofluid, and genetic biomarkers improve diagnostic accuracy
Treatable causes of cognitive impairment (e.g., hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency) should be ruled out

Epidemiology

Around 40% of those aged 65 or over with dementia are undiagnosed
47 million people worldwide currently have dementia, projected to increase to 131 million by 2050
Lifetime cost of caring for an individual with dementia is almost $200,000 more than an individual without dementia
Age cut-off for early and late-onset dementia is arbitrarily set at 65 years
50% of people with Down's syndrome will develop dementia

Pathogenesis

Dementia involves an interplay between specific molecular pathways
Abnormally folded protein deposits lead to:
- Loss of synaptic connections
- Cell death
- Gliosis
- Inflammation
- Disruption of functional networks related to cognition, personality, behavior, and sensorimotor functions
Aging is the most significant risk factor for dementia, with 90% of cases presenting after age 65
Accumulation of abnormally folded proteins is central to dementia neuropathology:
- Alzheimer's disease: disrupts memory, language, visuospatial, and behavioral executive domains
- Frontotemporal lobar degeneration: aggregates of tau, TDP-43, or FUS leading to frontotemporal dementia syndromes

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

Key factors include:
- Risk and protective factors for dementia and Alzheimer's disease throughout the lifespan
- Some factors can differentially affect dementia and Alzheimer's disease risk depending on the time of exposure during the lifecycle
- Example: Hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidaemia increase dementia risk during midlife
- Other factors, such as diet, affect risk across the lifespan
Social withdrawal worsens negative symptoms

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Description

This quiz covers essential aspects of dementia, its classification, and the impact of diagnostic improvements on outcomes. Additionally, it discusses the epidemiology and pathogenesis of dementia, highlighting significant statistics and biological mechanisms involved. Enhance your understanding of this complex condition and its growing prevalence worldwide.