Alzheimer’s Disease Dr. Murtaza (dictator ibby) Dr. Smith Dr. Probus Dr. Blandford

A 78-year-old man comes to your office with his daughter. The daughter reports that her father, Mark, has been confusing the name of relatives and is having trouble controlling his emotions. Her father was once a respected mathematician, but he is now having trouble completing simple calculations. He even claims that he does not know how to play the card game they have been playing since she was a little girl. She tried to get him to shower and put on clean clothes for the doctor’s visit, but he is adamant about the fact that he is clean. Most recently, he has had trouble recognizing people he has known for years. For quite some time, he has had trouble finding items such as his glasses or keys and his daughter attributed this to the natural aging process. Now she is not so sure.

We diagnosed our patient as having Alzheimer’s because of: His old age He was confused with the names of his relatives He was unable to control emotions, and had mood swings He was irritated with his daily activities He experienced memory loss with his work, routines, and activities he used to perform.

Alzheimers is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as: “The development of multiple cognitive deficits manifested by both memory impairment…and one (or more) of the following cognitive disturbances: (a) Aphasia-Language Disturbance (b) Apraxia-(impaired ability to carry out motor activities despide intact motor function) (c) Agnosia-(failure to recognize or identify objects despide intact sensory function) (d) Disturbence in executive functioning (i.e., planning, organizing, sequencing, abstracting)

Alzheimer’s is classified as a neurodegenerative disease, and the most common type of dementia. The cause is not yet exactly know. The progression of this disease is also not well understood. Some hypotheses for causes of Alzheimer’s are plaque buildups and and tangles in the brain.

For Mark, the old man with Alzheimer’s, will live on for roughly 8 more years or less, due to his age and because the average amount of time someone will live after finding symptoms of Alzheimer’s is 8 years. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease with no cure, which means that Mark’s symptoms will get worse over time even though he may receive treatment. Mark could also die due to a complication like flu or pneumonia, which is extremely deadly with Alzheimer’s. Mark will eventually when his body systems fail to work due to Alzheimer’s.

* There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are ways of treatment for those with Alzheimer’s. * Our patient Mark, will be put taking inhibitors like cholinesterase to improve memory loss. Mark will also take medication to control his sleep, emotions, and mood-swings like memantine and donepezil. * Taking medication will hopefully ensure Mark a better life with Alzheimer’s rather than if he didn’t take any medication.

* Alzheimer’s can best be described as a deteriorating brain. * The Neurons decay, and the brain is “eaten away”, becoming tangled and dying. * This causes a lapse in the communication between neurons * Which can, for say, cause a gap between memories * Implicit v Explicit memory.

Two Medical Professions that work with patients who have Alzheimer’s: * Geriatric Psychiatrist * Neurologist Sources: * * e_Neurologist.pdf e_Neurologist.pdf

* A geriatric psychiatrist has special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders that may occur in older adults, such as Alzheimer’s. * A Geriatric Psychiatrist listens to the patients concerns as well as their families. Then the Geriatric Psychiatrist will propose some solutions. He/She will work with other health professionals for the treatment of the patient.

Neurologists are specialized in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the CNS, including the brain and spinal cord. A doctor cannot just preform one simple test to determine if a patient has Alzheimer’s. There are multiple test to determine it. A Neurologist will most likely work with a Geriatric Psychologist to treat a patient.