Alzheimer's Disease

Exam Cram

• Progressive memory loss over months- years

• Mx- 

Outline

Background 

Early onset alzheimer's disease has autosomal dominant genes that affect amyloid proteins. 

Deposits of beta-amyloid. Tau proteins form neurofibrillary tangles.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria: 

Clinical diagnosis

• Gradual memory loss

History:

• Family history strongly associated

Examination:

Ix

• Rule out reversible causes

  • • • CT-H

      • B12, folate, Fe studies, CMP, BSL, TFTs

• Medication review

Differentials

• Dementia differentials: Lewy body, vascular, frontal temporal, parkinsons

• Depression

• Reversible causes: intracranial bleed, intracranial tumour, hypothyroidism, hypocalaemia, medication induced

Management

Severity assessment

MOCA

• Mild:

• Moderate:

• Severe:

0. Family Education, referral to memory clinic, rule out reversible causes

1. Anticholinergics (mild)

2. Addition of memantine in mod/severe

Med Reg Notes

Donepezil side effects: bradycardia, 

References

Page written in 2024. 

Produced off FOAM basis: free, open access, medical education. This is not clinical advice, education for multiple choice questions only! 

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