Dementia: Types and Diagnosis

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Questions and Answers

What is the current state of a cure for dementia?

There is currently no cure for dementia, despite ongoing research. (correct)
Dementia can be cured if treated early enough.
A cure has been found, but it's only effective for Alzheimer's disease.
Medications have been developed to completely prevent the progression of dementia.

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, how do changes occur?

Sudden and severe changes occur suddenly.
Very gradually and may not be immediately noticeable to others. (correct)
Rapidly and are immediately noticeable to others.
Only in people with a family history of the disease.

What is the ultimate outcome for people with dementia?

They eventually recover and regain their physical abilities.
They become completely dependent on others for care. (correct)
They experience a plateau in their symptoms and do not decline further.
They are cured of the disease through medication.

Why do many people misinterpret the early signs of Alzheimer's disease?

Because they misinterpret them as normal changes of aging. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effectiveness of medications in treating dementia?

They are effective in some forms of dementia, but do not work for everyone. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of dementia?

Alzheimer's Disease (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average duration of Alzheimer's disease from symptoms onset?

8 years (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with dementia?

Increased judgment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of dementia?

Damage to brain cells (A) Signup and view all the answers

At what stage of Alzheimer's disease is memory generally spared?

Early stages (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is most affected by dementia?

50-60 years old (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the only way to determine the specific type of dementia a person has?

By examining the person's brain after death during an autopsy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of Alzheimer's disease?

Amyloid plaques and tangles in the brain (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of dementia on a person's identity?

It affects their entire being, including memories, personality, and abilities (C) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the progression of dementia?

The extent of brain damage (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all dementias is accounted for by Alzheimer's disease?

More than 50% (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?

Progressive memory loss (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of early-onset Alzheimer's disease?

It occurs between the ages of 30 and 60 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible symptom of Alzheimer's disease?

Loss of language skills (B) Signup and view all the answers

What can an autopsy reveal about a person with dementia?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the risk of Alzheimer's disease typically increase?

After age 60 (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Types of Dementia

Dementia is a term that describes a group of symptoms resulting from a progressive decline in cognitive function.
The only way to determine the type of dementia a person has is through an autopsy after death.

Characteristics of Dementia

Symptoms depend on the areas of the brain damaged and the extent of the damage.
Most forms of dementia affect older people and last for years, ultimately leading to death.
As brain cells become damaged, the person gradually loses the ability to remember, think, and use language.
Physical abilities are lost, and the person becomes totally dependent on others for care.

Alzheimer's Disease

Accounts for more than 50% of all dementias.
Caused by plaques (abnormal sticky clumps of amyloid, a protein) and tangles (twisted protein fibers within nerve cells) building up in the brain.
Characteristics include progressive memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, and performing familiar tasks.
Problems recognizing people and objects, loss of language skills, and personality changes.
Lasts on average 8 to 12 years, usually occurring after age 60, with risk increasing with advanced age.
A rare form (early-onset Alzheimer's disease) can occur between ages 30 and 60.

Other Key Facts

Some medications have helped slow the progression of symptoms, but they do not work for everyone and are not useful in all forms of dementia.
Dementia ultimately robs the person of all memories, personality, and abilities, leading to death.
Despite widespread research, there is still no cure for dementia.