Neurocognitive Disorders Overview

Study Notes

Neurocognitive disorders focus on brain functions like memory, processing speed, and problem-solving ability.
Alzheimer's disease is a distressing neurocognitive disorder.

Cognitive disorders affect brain functions; mood changes can sometimes result, but not directly.
Emotional disorders, like anxiety and depression, primarily affect feelings and emotional well-being, though they can also affect cognitive functioning.

Delirium is characterized by an acute loss of attention, brain function, concentration, and confusion.
Delirium usually lasts for a short period (hours or days).
It's not a disorder itself, but a condition resulting from alack of short-term brain care.
Potential causes include sunstroke, exposure to fumes, stroke, sleep deprivation, high fever, and even unusual activities like biking in Minnesota.
Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause of delirium.

Neurocognitive disorders are categorized into mild and major forms.
Mild disorders allow functioning with accommodations.
Major disorders cause substantial impairment in daily activities.
Deficits arise in cognitive functions like learning, memory, attention, motor skills, decision-making, language, and processing speed.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), often seen in returning veterans with blast injuries, is an example.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia in the elderly.
In the US, approximately 6.5 million people are affected by Alzheimer's (and the number is rising).
Late-onset Alzheimer's (after age 65) is more common, but early-onset (before 65) can also occur.
Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a higher rate than men.
The disease involves a slow, gradual loss of brain functions; early stages may resemble delirium.
Characteristic symptoms include memory loss, difficulties with planning and organization, problems with language (aphasia), impaired motor function (apraxia), and inability to recognize objects (agnosia).
The disease progresses, eventually leading to changes in personality and overall ability.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's is usually only possible definitively after death due to physical changes seen in brain tissue.
Alzheimer's is associated with the presence of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain; the exact cause is not yet known.
Excessive activity of specific proteins and genetic links (e.g., ApoE-4 gene) are potential contributing factors.
Strategies to potentially help with or prevent Alzheimer's include mental and physical activities designed to engage the brain.

Frontotemporal dementia is a type of dementia resulting from the degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
Characteristics include language loss and loss of empathy.

Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by small strokes throughout the brain's blood vessels.
Lewy body dementia affects dopamine transmission in the brain.
Prion's disease, also known as Mad Cow's disease, leads to a rapid loss of function.

Also known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), TBI is a result of multiple concussions or blast wave injuries.

Cognitive disorders related to old age are becoming an increasing concern due to an aging population.
It's important to be aware of cognitive and emotional changes that can accompany old age.

Psychological concerns in old age may arise due to a lack of meaning, feeling unnecessary, loss of life roles, loss of function, sleep problems, and increased occurrences of both physical and psychological illnesses.
Loss of friends and loved ones is another important factor.

Keeping the brain active, engaging in physical exercise, maintaining relationships, and practicing gratitude are beneficial in maintaining cognitive health.
Getting outside is also a beneficial approach to maintaining both mental and physical health.