neurological disorders. dementia a degenerative syndrome characterized by deficits in memory,...
TRANSCRIPT
Dementia
A degenerative syndrome characterized by deficits in memory, language, and mood.
The most common form: Alzheimer’s Disease Usually slow onset Characterized by three stages.
What happens in the brain?
Plagues & Tangles
Signs & Symptoms: Short-term memory
loss Psychosis,
aggression, may have personality changes,
Eventually loss of judgment, unable to care for oneself
Those affected by Alzheimer’s Caregiver burden is high:
Who are the caregivers?
17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to patients with Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association, 2013)
Estimated value of $216 billion
Medicare is the largest payer for paid care (hospitals, doctors, etc)
Treatment / Prevention
Medications available to help slow progression, treat some symptoms
Lifestyle factors
Vitamin E
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Movement disorder that results from degeneration of nerve cells in basal ganglia.
Cause: Unknown Environmental factors may be key,
especially undetected viruses
Treatment / Prevention of PD Medications Physical therapy Occupational
therapy Supportive care
Prevention??
Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic, progression disorder of unknown origin.
Possible causes: Viruses, immunologic
reaction to virus, bacteria, trauma, autoimmunity, and genetics.
Cause remains inconclusive
Signs & Symptoms of MS
Muscle impairment
Loss of balance / poor coordination
Numbness / tingling
Difficulty speaking clearly
Double vision
Treatment & Prevention of MS Currently, no cure
Some therapies may help with symptoms Physical Therapy Muscle relaxants Acupuncture
Connection to Vitamin D???
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) AKA: Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Chronic, terminal, neurological disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons.
Cause: unknown
Slightly more common in men
Symptoms of ALS
Early symptoms include Tripping, dropping things, abnormal fatigue
of arms/legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps
As the disease progresses: Difficulty in lifting, walking or using
arms/hands, chewing, swallowing and eventually breathing become difficult
Only affects motor neurons