Dementia is an umbrella term for number of diseases; "over 130 are known today" that affect the memory, behaviour, and motor skills. This causes vary depending on the disease, but largely the presence of "plaques and triangles" on the neurons of the brain are found with people with Alzheimer’s. Plaques are proteins that the body no longer breaks down and allows to build up, those get between the neurons that disrupt message transmission. The tangles are tau proteins within the neurons becoming abnormal. Types of Dementia Alzheimer's disease: This is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for about half of all cases.
Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and accounts for between 50 and 70 per cent of all cases. It is a progressive degenerative illness that attacks the brain. As brain cells shrink or disappear, abnormal material builds up as ‘tangles’ in the centre of the cells and ‘plaques’ form outside the cells. These disrupt messages within the brain, damaging connections between brain cells. The cells eventually die and this means that information cannot be recalled or assimilated.
Beta amyloid is similar to cholesterol and is essential for the brain but an excessive amount inhibits proper brain function. In result recent research suggest that the cerebral cortex, which process visual and spatial information is damage in Alzheimer’s disease patients brains. In addition, areas of the brain, important for memory such as the basal forebrain and hippocampus are affected .As well as decrease level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. In the early stage of dementia patient experience memory impairment, lapse in judgment and little change in personality .as the disease progresses, memory and language problem worsen and patient begin to have difficulty performing activities of daily living such as remembering to feed themselves and bath etc….during the last stage of the disease patient begin to lose motor functions and eventually lose the ability to recognize family member and to
This can be more common in people who have high blood pressure, type 1 diabetes and those who smoke. Also If someone has a stoke it can damage brain cells. However not everyone who has had a stroke will go on to develop vascular dementia. Other less common causes of dementia can be things such as head injuries that can cause memory loss, brain tumours and alcohol abuse which is the cause of korsikof dementia. 1.2 describe the types of memory impairement commonely experienced by individuals with dementia.
When the organ in our body is deprived of oxygenated blood that organ or part of it will die. This is exactly what happens in vascular dementia. The conditions which can cause these problems are preventable and include diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Rarer forms of dementia are: • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease known as CJD is caused by prion disease. Prions are proteins in body and when these protein cluster together in the brain they cause brain cells to die
basics of alzheimer’s disease What it is and what you can do Basics of Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work, or to enjoy lifelong hobbies. Other symptoms include confusion, getting lost in familiar places, misplacing things and trouble with language.
3) – Explain why depression, delirium, and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia Depression, delirium and age related memory impairment may be mistaken for dementia because they all share many of the same symptoms as dementia. Symptoms of dementia: Increasing difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning Memory loss, Depression, Changes in personality and mood, Periods of mental confusion, Low attention span, Urinary incontinence, Stroke like symptoms, such as
Alcohol dementia affects the quality of life for the individual especially as he ages. Thirdly up to 80 percent of alcoholics have a deficiency in thiamine which greatly affects the cerebellum (the area of the brain responsible for coordinating
Alzheimer's disease the most common accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia which happens after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. There are several conditions that can cause the symptoms of dementia, some that are for instance a thyroid problem and vitamin deficiencies. Certain causes of dementia can be reversed with treatment, but most cannot. Common causes of dementia that cannot be reversed are Parkinson disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Picks Disease, Vascular Dementia and severe head injuries that caused unconsciousness.
Outcome 1 – Understand the neurology of dementia Causes of dementia syndrome • Alzheimer’s disease – possibly the most well know cause of dementia Alzheimer’s disease affects around two thirds of the elderly. The disease causes the brain to shrink and the numbers of nerve fibre gradually reduce. • Vascular dementia – this is also is a common cause of dementia. This occurs when there become problems with small blood vessels in the brain and they become damaged. Vascular dementia can also occur after a major stroke.