What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia?
→ - Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
→ - Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and tangles (twisted
strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated?
→ - There is no cu...
WGU: D027: Advanced
Pathopharmacological Foundations
Questions and Correct Answers the Latest
Update and Recommended Version
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia?
→ - Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
→ - Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and tangles (twisted
strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated?
→ - There is no cure, but there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
→ - Cholinesterase inhibitors
→ - Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for?
→ - To treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other
processes
→ - Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do?
→ - Prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for
learning and memory
→ - Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine high
What are some commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors?
Which cholinesterase inhibitor can be used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?
→ - Rivastigmine (exeleon)
What medication combination is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's?
→ - Memantine (namenda) and donepezil (aricept)
What is memantine (namenda) used for?
→ - Prescribed to improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to
perform simple tasks
→ - Can be used alone or with other Alzheimer's disease treatments
How does memantine (namenda) work?
→ - Regulates the activity of glutamate, a chemical involved in information processing,
storage, and retrieval
→ - Improves mental functioning and ability to perform daily activities for some people
What is the difference in MOA between cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine (namenda)?
→ - Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, whereas memantine
(namenda) regulates the activity of glutamate
What is ataxia?
→ - Also known as cerebellum attacks
→ - Degenerative disease of the nervous system
→ - Many symptoms mimic those of being drunk (i.e. slurred speech, stumbling, falling,
and incoordination)
What causes the symptoms of ataxia?
→ - The damage caused to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for
coordinating movements
→ - Can also be caused by damage to part of the spinal cord and nerves
What is the treatment for ataxia?
→ - No treatment
→ - In some cases, treating the underlying causes (i.e. stopping medications that cause
ataxia)
→ - In other cases, it is a result from chicken pox or other viral infections (likely to resolve
on its own)
→ - Genetic causes/predisposed disposition is usually chronic
→ - A genetic condition inherited from parents which results in various developmental
problems
→ - Rare, but may be dangerous or life-threatening
→ - Present at birth and is a lifelong condition
→ - Rarely requires lab testing or imaging
→ - Often linked to autism (1/3 do have autism)
→ - X-linked disorder
Since Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder, does a specific gender have a
greater risk?
→ - Often, females are carriers and males are affected
→ - However, both males and females can be carriers, and both can be affected by the
condition
→ - Usually milder in females
How did Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) get its name?
→ - The gene Fragile X (the FMR1 gene) is on the X syndrome
→ - Mutation of the FMR1 gene
What is the difference between Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) and
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?
→ - Both caused by mutations on the FMR1 gene, but they are caused by different
changes in this gene
→ - FXS is caused by a full mutation
→ - FXTAS is a premutation
→ - FXS is present at birth, but display these features in early life
→ - FXTAS develops in adulthood (usually after age 50) and the symptoms may appear
slowly and develop over the years
→ - FXTAS individuals are usually healthy with normal cognitive skills prior to the onset
How is Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) diagnosed?
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