Alzheimer’s DiseaseBy: Brandon Daniels

Psychology

Per.3

WHAT IS IT?

(also known as Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type) is an unfortunate misnomer, as it implies that aging process involves an inevitable loss of cognitive functions.

Alois Alzheimer

He was a German psychiatrist and Neuropathologist who reported this psychological disorder in 1907.

Associated Features

Subtypes

- With delirium

- With delusions

- With depressed mood

- Uncomplicated (for cases in which none of these other characteristics apply)

Associated Features

People with this disorder develop multiple cognitive deficits manifested by memory impairment, and at least one of the following cognitive disturbances:

- Language disturbance

- Impaired ability to carry out motor activities

- Failure to recognize or identify objects

- Disturbance in executive functioning, such as planning, organizing, or abstracting

Associated Features

The stages associated with Alzheimer’s Disease are:

- Forgetfulness

- Early confusional

- Late confusional

- Early dementia

- Middle dementia

- Late dementia

Associated Features

DSM-IV-TR Criteria

A. The development of multiple cognitive deficits manifested by both

(1) Memory impairment(impaired ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information)

(2) One(or more)of the following cognitive disturbances:

(a) Aphasia (language disturbance)

(b) Apraxia (impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor function)

(c) Agnosia (failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function)

(d) Disturbance in executive functioning (i.e., planning, organizing, sequencing, abstracting)

DSM-IV-TR(continued)

B. The cognitive deficits in the criteria A1 and A2 each cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and represent a significant decline from a previous level of functioning.

C. The course is characterized by gradual onset and continuing cognitive decline.

D. The cognitive deficits in criteria A1 and A2 are not due to any of the following:

(1) Other central nervous system conditions that cause progressive deficits in memory and cognition

(2) Systemic conditions that are known to cause dementia

(3) Substance-induced conditions

DSM-IV-TR(continued)

E. The deficits do not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.

F. The disturbance is not better accounted for by another Axis I disorder.

Etiology

Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer’s Disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain overtime.

The brain will lose many fewer cells and many fewer connections among surviving cells than does a healthy brain, and it can lead to brain damage.

Prevalence

- One out of eight people over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s Disease.

- One out of every two people over the age of 85 has Alzheimer’s.

- The probability of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly doubles every five years after age 65.

Treatment

Alzheimer’s therapy involves a number of different treatments that address each of these problems. They are therapies like:

- Hormone replacement therapies

- Sensory therapies

- Alternative therapies

Also there are medications that people with Alzheimer’s disease can use.

- Donepezil(Aricept)

- Rivastigmine(Exelon) and (Razadyne)

- Memantine(Namenda)

These are used to treat mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s.

Prognosis

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, and the average life expectancy for someone with Alzheimer’s is 8 to 10 years after the onset of symptoms.

References

Halgin, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K. (2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

WebMD. Treatment & care. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/alzheimer’s/guide/alzheimers-disease-treatment-care

Alzheimer’s Association. What is Alzheimer’s?. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

Mayo Clinic Staff. (Jan. 18, 2011). Causes. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161/DSECTION=causes

Carrie Hill. C. (Nov.9, 2010). What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?. Retrieved from http://alzheimers.about.com/od/whatisalzheimer1/a/causes.htm

Discussion Question

How could Alzheimer’s Disease be related to classical conditioning?

END OF MY PRESENTATION