Dementia in old age – diagnostics, differentiation and current therapeutic management proposition

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Dementia in old age – diagnostics, differentiation and current therapeutic management proposition

Journal Title: Rehabilitacja Medyczna - Year 2005, Vol 9, Issue 3

Abstract

The disorder of higher functions of the core is characteristic of dementia, which often affects old people. It is mainly caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy’s Bodies. Etiology of AD is still unknown. The most important risk factor are APOE 4 gene, age, sex, short education period, jobs that do not require intellectual activity and dementia among family members. The main pathomorphological changes consist in the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, whereas pathophysiological changes consist in disorders in cholinergic system. AD manifests itself in the insidious onset, a slow course of the disease, memory, spatial orientation and behavioural disorders, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, dissomnia, difficulties in getting dressed and practising personal hygiene, and later on hallucinations, delusions, incontinent sphincters, increasing weakness and lack of mobility finally resulting in infections and decubitus ulcers. Vascular dementia is generally caused by cerebral ischaemia. The main risk factors include age, sex, hypertension, level of education, smoking, diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia. VaD differs from AD with a sudden onset, an irregular course of disease, criticism and mood depression. It is more frequent in men. Dementia with Lewy Bodies takes a course with intensified extrapiramidal disorders, whereas frontotemporal dementia – with behavioural ones. In diagnosing dementia the most important are an interview, laboratory, neuropsychological, CT and MRI investigations. In AD treatment cholinesterase inhibitors are most often used while in VaD – antiarteriosclerotic drugs and those improving cerebral circulation. Long-lasting rehabilitation is playing an increasingly significant role in treating these groups of patients.

Authors and Affiliations

Alicja Klich-Rączka

Keywords

Alzheimer’s Disease frontotemporal dementia vascular dementia dementia with Lewy bodies pharmacotherapy Rehabilitation choroba alzheimera otępienie czołowo-skroniowe

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