Neurobiology of Dementia Quiz

Alzheimer's Disease

• Amyloid-β protein is associated with the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis

• According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, abnormal genes lead to the deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain.

Brain Regions Affected

• The entorhinal cortex is the area of the brain that experiences initial plaque and tangle formation in Alzheimer's disease.

Cholinergic Deficiency Hypothesis

• The cholinergic deficiency hypothesis states that loss of cholinergic neurons leads to a decrease in cholinergic neurotransmitters.

Tau Proteins

• Kinases phosphorylate Tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease, leading to their abnormal accumulation.

Glutamate and NMDA Receptors

• Excess amounts of glutamate lead to the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

Pharmacological Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

• Memantine is an example of an NMDA receptor antagonist used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
• The dosing recommendation for Memantine in the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease is 5-20 mg/day.

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

• Examples of BPSD include aggression, agitation, depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Managing Aggression in Dementia

• Antipsychotics are indicated for managing aggression in dementia.