scholarly journals Diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Dementia Syndrome

The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a 2-stage process, in stage 1, the dementia syndrome, comprising neuropsychologic and neuropsychiatrie components together with deficits in activities of daily living, is differentiated on clinical grounds from a number of other conditions (delirium, concomitant physical illness, drug treatment normal memory loss, etc), in stage 2, the cause is determined, AD being the most common, followed by vascular dementia, Lewy-body dementia, frontal lobe dementia, and a host of so-called secondary causes. Although a mixed Alzheimer/vascular picture is common, gradual onset of multiple cognitive deficits is typical of AD, while abrupt onset, a fluctuating course, hypertension, and focal neurologic signs suggest vascular dementia, in Lewy-body dementia, memory loss may not be an early feature, and fluctuation can be marked by distressing psychotic symptoms and behavioral disturbance, investigations should be minimally invasive and relatively cheap, confined to routine blood tests, chest x-ray and/or electrocardiogram if clinically indicated, cardiologie or neurologic referral in the presence of cerebrovascular signs, and computed tomography if an intracranial lesion is suspected. Accurate diagnosis enables the clinician to outline the disease course to the family and inform them of genetic implications. Numerous instruments for assessing cognitive function, global status, psychiatric well-being, and activities of daily living are briefly reviewed.

Dementia

2020 ◽  
pp. 6478-6481
Author(s):  
Bart Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Great Care ◽  
Mental Functions

Dementia is a clinical syndrome, not a specific disease. It is characterized by impairment of mental functions leading to memory loss, behavioural changes, and impairment in the activities of daily living. It may be caused by several different diseases, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. There are other potentially treatable causes, including depression, which must be excluded. Drug treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors may reduce the progression of dementia for a period, especially in Alzheimer’s disease. Antipsychotic drugs should be used with great care. The associated impairment and behavioural problems often requires social care, sometimes in institutions, and will place an increasing burden on medical services and society.

scholarly journals Risk factors for dementia

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catriona D. McCullagh ◽  
David Craig ◽  
Stephen P. McIlroy ◽  
A. Peter Passmore
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Population Demographics ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Generic Term ◽  
Prevalence Of Dementia

There is little doubt that dementia is a very common cause of disability and dependency in our society. Since dementia of whatever type is usually more common with increasing age, then as population demographics change, so will the prevalence of dementia. Dementia is a generic term and the objective for clinicians, once dementia is suspected, is to attempt to define the cause. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, and in most centres vascular dementia would feature as the next most common aetiology. In some centres, Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause. Mixed Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia would also feature high on the list at most centres.

Dementia with Lewy bodies

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 360-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Jane Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Dementia Syndrome ◽  
Distinct Disease

Dementia with cortical Lewy bodies (LBD) was first described by Okazakiet alin 1961 and is now recognised as a relatively common cause of the dementia syndrome. The true prevalence of LBD is unknown. In post-mortem studies of patients diagnosed as having dementia in life, the mean frequency of Lewy body dementia is 12.5% (Byrne, 1997). Clinically diagnosed LBD (using operational clinical criteria) is found in 10–23% of patients presenting to, or in the care of, psychogeriatric services (Collertonet al, 1996). What is not yet certain is its nosological status; opinion is divided between regarding it as a variety of Alzheimer's disease (the Lewy body variant), a distinct disease (senile dementia of the Lewy body type) or a spectrum disorder related to both Parkinson's disease and to Alzheimer's disease (Byrne, 1992).

Associations Between Psychotic Symptoms and Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mun Tran ◽  
Michel Bédard ◽  
D. William Molloy ◽  
Sacha Dubois ◽  
Judith A. Lever
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Additional Contribution

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with dependence in activities of daily living (ADL). In addition to the cognitive impairment resulting from AD, the presence of psychotic symptoms may further increase this dependence. The objective of this study was to quantify the additional contribution of psychotic symptoms to dependence in ADL. Method: We analyzed data from 558 individuals with AD referred to a memory clinic. Information on ADL, psychotic symptoms, depression symptoms, and cognition was collected with standardized instruments. Results: The frequency of psychotic symptoms was correlated with dependence in ADL (r = −.44, p < .001). The independent contribution of psychotic symptoms to ADL (basic and instrumental) after consideration for cognitive impairment and depression symptoms was assessed with hierarchical regression models. Twenty-five percent of basic ADL variance was explained by cognition; psychotic symptoms accounted for an additional 7% of the variance (b = −0.12, p < .001). Cognitive impairment explained 31% of instrumental ADL variance; psychotic symptoms accounted for an additional 6% (b = −0.21, p < .001). Discussion: Psychotic symptoms are associated with dependence in ADL after controlling for cognitive impairment and depression symptoms. Future research should investigate possible causal linkages between psychotic symptoms and dependence in ADL. This may have implications regarding interventions to maintain independent living in people with AD.

scholarly journals 541 - MRI-BASED MEASUREMENT OF HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUME IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 83-84
Author(s):  
Supriya Satapathy ◽  
D. Phani Bhushan ◽  
T. Nageshwar Rao ◽  
M. Satyanarayana
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Population Increase

Background:Dementia due to probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents between 60 and 80% of all dementias. The total number of estimated AD cases worldwide by 2030 is 65.7 million and 115.4 million by 2050; this represents a twofold population increase in the next 20 years.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been the primary tool of interest to link hippocampal volume loss with dementia firmly.MRI-based volumetry has been proposed as a promising biomarker.Hippocampal volumetry is useful in discriminating not only cognitively normal individuals from those with dementia but can also differentiate Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from various types of dementia.Research objective:To measure hippocampal volume in various types of dementia. (MMSE) and Activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with dementia.Method:A cross-sectional study conducted for period of one year among 21 patients with Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 20 healthy age matched controls. MMSE scale was used to stratify patients on cognitive function impairments. ADL scale to assess functional status of the patient ability to perform activities of daily living independently in diverse settings. Hippocampal volume measured using MRI 1.5 T Philips Ingenia, a coronal T1-weighted FFE (Fast Field Echo) 3D sequence.Results:Total Hippocampal volume was reduced by 35% in Alzheimer’s disease, 27% in vascular dementia and 10% in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, compared with control groupConclusions:Moderate positive correlation between mean total hippocampal volume and MMSE scores in patients with dementia which was statistically significant. (P value= 0.001).

Hallucinations and Delusions in Dementia

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (S1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Holroyd
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Lewy Body ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia

Hallucinations and delusions have been described in all types of dementia, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. They have been recognized in Alzheimer's disease (AD) since the illness was first described (Alzheimer, 1957).

Assessment of suspected dementia in older people

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
EH Fletcher ◽  
HJ Woodford ◽  
J George
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
Mood Changes ◽  
Gradual Loss

Dementia is a syndrome describing progressive and largely irreversible brain dysfunction. Symptoms are varied but commonly include memory loss, mood changes and difficulties with language and judgement. Delusions and hallucinations can also occur. With disease progression there is a gradual loss of ability to perform tasks of daily living. A range of illnesses, most of which are currently incurable, can cause dementia. These include Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mixed patterns of dementia also exist, typically Alzheimer's disease overlapping with vascular dementia. This combination of pathologies is probably much commoner in the elderly than traditionally thought.

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