H.M. is a 67-year-old female, who recently retired from being a school teacher for the last 40 years. Her husband died 2 years ago due to complications of a CVA. Past medical history includes hypertension controlled with Olmesartan 20 mg by mouth once a day. Family history is not contributory. Last annual visits with PCP with normal results. She lives by herself but her children live close to her and usually visit her two or three times a week. Her daughter started noticing that her mother is having problems focusing when talking to her. She is not keeping things at home as she used to, and often she is repeating and asking the same question several times. Yesterday, she had issues remembering her way back home from the grocery store.
Case Study 2 Questions:
- Name the most common risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Name and describe the similarities and differences between Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
- Define and describe explicit and implicit memory.
- Describe the diagnosis criteria developed for Alzheimer’s disease by the National Institute of Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association.
- What would be the best pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches for H.M.?
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words for each case study, formatted and cited in the current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources other than your textbook. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
- You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Use at least 1 academic source for each response to your peers other than your textbook. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response).
- All replies must be constructive and literature must be used accordingly. Your replies must be at least 150 words each.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and functional impairment. The most common risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are age, genetics, family history, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
Vascular Dementia: Vascular dementia is caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, leading to cognitive decline and memory loss. This type of dementia is often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Symptoms of vascular dementia include problems with planning, decision making, and attention, as well as memory loss and difficulty with language.
Dementia with Lewy bodies: Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive disorder that affects memory, cognition, and movement. This type of dementia is caused by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits in the brain. Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies include visual hallucinations, fluctuations in attention and alertness, and movement disorders.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This type of dementia is characterized by personality changes, inappropriate behavior, and difficulties with language. Frontotemporal dementia is often diagnosed at a younger age than other types of dementia.
Explicit and Implicit Memory: Explicit memory refers to the conscious recollection of information, such as facts, events, and experiences. Implicit memory, on the other hand, refers to the unconscious retrieval of information, such as habits, skills, and procedures.
Diagnosis Criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease: The National Institute of Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association have developed criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. These criteria include evidence of cognitive impairment, progressive decline in cognitive function, and impairment in daily activities. Additional testing, such as brain imaging and blood tests, may be used to rule out other causes of cognitive decline.
Therapeutic Approaches for H.M.: H.M. was a patient with severe amnesia who underwent a bilateral medial temporal lobectomy. Pharmacological treatments for amnesia include cholinesterase inhibitors, which increase the availability of acetylcholine in the brain, and NMDA receptor antagonists, which block the activation of glutamate receptors in the brain. Non-pharmacological approaches include cognitive rehabilitation, which aims to improve memory function through the use of memory aids and techniques, and psychotherapy, which can help patients cope with the emotional and psychological impact of amnesia.