Course Outline
Dementia is an umbrella term for many brain disorders that disrupt memory, cognition, mood and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions of older adults worldwide. Recent advances in the understanding of dementia offer the chance of possible breakthroughs and hope for the future.
This Book Includes:
- Explanation of the early signs and symptoms of dementia and how they differ from normal aging
- Latest information on non-Alzheimer’s forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and vascular cognitive impairment
- Research advances in the understanding of mild cognitive impairment, a transitional stage between a normal state and dementia
- Action guide for caregivers with tips and strategies for someone becoming a caregiver
About the Medical Editor in Chief
Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., is director of the Alzheimer’s Research Center at May Clinic and is the Cora Kanow Professor of Alzheimer’s Disease Research at Mayo Clinic College of medicine. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed articles and edited three books on memory disorders, aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Petersen is one of the recipients of the 2004 MetLife prize for Medical Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and 2004 Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases, from the American Academy of Neurology.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course you’ll be able to:
- Define dementia and syndrome.
- List the four main types of neurodegenerative disorders.
- Describe the vascular disorders that affect the brain.
- Discuss risk factors for dementia.
- Discuss some physical changes with normal aging.
- Describe the various parts of the brain.
- Describe a neuron.
- Define cognition.
- List the criteria for diagnosing dementia.
- Compare delusions and hallucinations.
- Describe the physical exam for dementia.
- Compare structural imaging and functional imaging
- Describe how Alzheimer’s disease develops.
- Describe the three stages of Alzheimer’s.
- List other conditions that accompany Alzheimer’s.
- Compare plaques and tangles.
- Describe the three contributing factors to Alzheimer’s.
- Describe other risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s.
- Define a genetic mutation.
- Describe the cholinesterase inhibitors.
- List the benefits of vitamin E.
- Discuss behavioral symptoms and care needed for the individual.
- Describe the four classifications of drugs for behavioral symptoms.
- List several types of frontotemporal dementia and the symptoms.
- Define gliosis, microvacuolation, and Pick bodies.
- Define dysarthria, agrammatism, echolalia, perseveration, and mutism.
- Compare frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s. (pg 125, chart)
- Describe medications used for frontotemporal dementia.
- Define Lewy bodies.
- Describe briefly the signs and symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies.
- Describe how dementia with Lewy bodies is diagnosed.
- List several medications used to treat dementia with Lewy bodies.
- Describe the blood flow in the brain.
- Describe small vessel disease.
- State methods of diagnosing vascular cognitive impairment.
- Describe a brain-healthy diet.
- Define normal pressure hydrocephalus and list the three hallmark characteristics.
- Describe Huntington’s disease and list the treatment.
- Define Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and list the ways you get it.
- Describe Parkinson’s disease.
- Describe multiple sclerosis.
- Describe Wilson’s disease.
- Describe the two categories of mild cognitive impairment.
- State the treatment for mild cognitive impairment.
- Describe the effects of aging on brain function.
- List five strategies to keep your brain in shape.
- State the two commonly accepted risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Discuss the role of amyloid-beta-derived diffusible ligands.
- Describe how brain activity is measured.
Course Contents
- What is Dementia?
- Characteristics of Dementia
- Primary Causes of Dementia
- Other Causes of Dementia
- Cognitive Problems that aren’t Dementia
- Risk Factors of Dementia
- Assessing the Changes
- What to Expect as you Grow Older
- Addressing a Common Question
- Physical Changes with Normal Aging
- Your Brain and How it Works
- Cognitive Changes with Normal Aging
- A Littler Reassurance
- Diagnosing Dementia
- The Importance of Early Diagnosis
- Criteria for a Diagnosis
- Common Diagnostic Procedures
- Possible Diagnostic Procedures
- Diagnosing a Type of Dementia
- What Happens After Diagnosis
- The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease
- How Alzheimer’s Disease Develops
- Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Criteria for a Diagnosis
- Conditions that may Accompany Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia
- Advancing our Understanding
- Biological Basis of Alzheimer’s
- Plaques and Tangles
- Contributing Factors
- Genetic Factors Affecting Alzheimer’s Disease
- A Complicated Process
- Treatment of Alzheimer’s
- Working Toward Treatment Goals
- Medications for Cognitive Symptoms
- Strategies for Behavioral Symptoms
- Medication Therapies for Behavioral Symptoms
- A Good Perspective
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Types of Frontotemporal Dementia
- What Goes on Inside the Brain
- Signs and Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Moving Ahead
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Overview
- Signs and Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- All for one, One for all
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment
- Overview
- Mechanisms of the Disease Process
- Signs and Symptoms
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Treatment and Prevention
- Positive Steps Toward Prevention
- Other Causes of Dementia
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- Huntington’s Disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
- Dementia Associated with Other Disorders
- Many Causes
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Subcategories of MCI
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Outcome
- Inside the MCI Brain
- Treatment
- Making Progress
- Staying Mentally Sharp
- Effects of Aging on Brain Function
- Strategies for Staying Mentally Sharp
- Focus on Solutions
- Research Trends
- Causes
- Early Diagnosis
- Treatment and Prevention
- Lifestyle Factors
- Keeping it all in Perspective