OTH 509: Final Exam
Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease
Beta amyloid plaques and tau-based neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)
Over the past several years tauopathy (NFTs) have been found to be most robust
predictors of clinical syndrome
Additionally, recent research has also found problematic inflammation and immune-
related issues in AD
Typically pathology starts in medial temporal lobe and progresses laterally, posteriorly,
and anteriorly
Retrograde amnesia (RA)
loss of memories from our past
Anterograde amnesia (AA)
an inability to form new memories
Alzheimer's disease (AD)
ELEVATED levels of depression & anxiety
behavioral dysregulation
inability to store new information
has insidious onset/slow build up over time
Risk factors for Alzheimers
older age
female
lower education
APOE-4 status
history of TBI
History of mental illness
history of ETOH abuse
T or F: Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.
True
Typical age of onset of Alzheimer's
70-75 years old
Risk factors for Lewi-body dementia
age
men
family history
Lewi-body dementia age of onset
mid-50s to late 60s
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
presents as fluctuating cognition with pronounced variation in attention and alertness
recurrent visual hallucinations
REM sleep behavior disorder
More spontaneous cardinal features of Parkinsonism (bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity)
What are the 3 types of frontotemporal dementia?
, behavioral variant
semantic dementia
primary progressive aphasia
Frontotemporal Dementia: BEHAVIORAL VARIANT
could present as socially inappropriate behavior
loss of manners
impulsive
apathy/interia
diminished social interest or response to people's feelings
simple repetitive movements
complex compulsive behaviors
altered food preferences binge eating or consumption of inedible objects
deficits in executive tasks (including episodic memory and visuospatial skills)
Frontotemporal Dementia: SEMANTIC DEMENTIA
onset and gradual progression
language disorder characterized by progresssive
empty spontaneous speech loss of word meaning manifested by impaired naming or
comprehension or semantic paraphasias
loss of sympathy and empathy
parsimony
absent or late primitive reflexes
akinesia
rigidity
tremors
Prevalence and risk factors for frontotemporal dementia:
5-9% of all diagnosed dementia cases
Age
gender (M<F)
history of psychiatric diagnosis
family history of FTLD
Describe treatment principles for management of dementia and name common
drugs
Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors that are
prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's symptoms. These drugs may help reduce
or control some cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
T or F: Dementia has no cure, so best of course of action is to mange symptoms
(agitation and paranoia resulting from dementia can be treated with medication)
True
What do SNARE proteins do?
assist in the specific binding of the vesicle membrane to the cell membrane,
SPECIFICALLY v-SNAREs on the vesicle and t-SNAREs on the cell membrane
What is SNARE proteins role at the synapse?
Botulism ( a type of bacteria) destroy certain of the SNARE proteins in the presynaptic
terminals, critical for neurotransmitter release
Describe Metatrophic Receptors: G mediated receptors (SLOWER)
Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease
Beta amyloid plaques and tau-based neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)
Over the past several years tauopathy (NFTs) have been found to be most robust
predictors of clinical syndrome
Additionally, recent research has also found problematic inflammation and immune-
related issues in AD
Typically pathology starts in medial temporal lobe and progresses laterally, posteriorly,
and anteriorly
Retrograde amnesia (RA)
loss of memories from our past
Anterograde amnesia (AA)
an inability to form new memories
Alzheimer's disease (AD)
ELEVATED levels of depression & anxiety
behavioral dysregulation
inability to store new information
has insidious onset/slow build up over time
Risk factors for Alzheimers
older age
female
lower education
APOE-4 status
history of TBI
History of mental illness
history of ETOH abuse
T or F: Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.
True
Typical age of onset of Alzheimer's
70-75 years old
Risk factors for Lewi-body dementia
age
men
family history
Lewi-body dementia age of onset
mid-50s to late 60s
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
presents as fluctuating cognition with pronounced variation in attention and alertness
recurrent visual hallucinations
REM sleep behavior disorder
More spontaneous cardinal features of Parkinsonism (bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity)
What are the 3 types of frontotemporal dementia?
, behavioral variant
semantic dementia
primary progressive aphasia
Frontotemporal Dementia: BEHAVIORAL VARIANT
could present as socially inappropriate behavior
loss of manners
impulsive
apathy/interia
diminished social interest or response to people's feelings
simple repetitive movements
complex compulsive behaviors
altered food preferences binge eating or consumption of inedible objects
deficits in executive tasks (including episodic memory and visuospatial skills)
Frontotemporal Dementia: SEMANTIC DEMENTIA
onset and gradual progression
language disorder characterized by progresssive
empty spontaneous speech loss of word meaning manifested by impaired naming or
comprehension or semantic paraphasias
loss of sympathy and empathy
parsimony
absent or late primitive reflexes
akinesia
rigidity
tremors
Prevalence and risk factors for frontotemporal dementia:
5-9% of all diagnosed dementia cases
Age
gender (M<F)
history of psychiatric diagnosis
family history of FTLD
Describe treatment principles for management of dementia and name common
drugs
Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors that are
prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's symptoms. These drugs may help reduce
or control some cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
T or F: Dementia has no cure, so best of course of action is to mange symptoms
(agitation and paranoia resulting from dementia can be treated with medication)
True
What do SNARE proteins do?
assist in the specific binding of the vesicle membrane to the cell membrane,
SPECIFICALLY v-SNAREs on the vesicle and t-SNAREs on the cell membrane
What is SNARE proteins role at the synapse?
Botulism ( a type of bacteria) destroy certain of the SNARE proteins in the presynaptic
terminals, critical for neurotransmitter release
Describe Metatrophic Receptors: G mediated receptors (SLOWER)
