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Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders. 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:

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Neurological Disorders

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  1. Neurological Disorders

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

  5. Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

  6. Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

  7. Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

  8. 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)

  9. Treatment / Prevention • Medications available to help slow progression, treat some symptoms • Lifestyle factors • Vitamin E

  10. Parkinson’s Disease

  11. 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

  12. Signs & Symptoms of PD • Tremor • Rigidity • Loss of reflexes • Mask-like facial expression

  13. Surgical Treatment of PD • Deep brain stimulation • Generates electrical activity • Not curative

  14. Treatment / Prevention of PD • Medications • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Supportive care • Prevention??

  15. Multiple Sclerosis

  16. Multiple Sclerosis • Chronic, progression disorder of unknown origin. • Possible causes: • Viruses, immunologic reaction to virus, bacteria, trauma, autoimmunity, and genetics. • Cause remains inconclusive

  17. Signs & Symptoms of MS • Muscle impairment • Loss of balance / poor coordination • Numbness / tingling • Difficulty speaking clearly • Double vision

  18. Treatment & Prevention of MS • Currently, no cure • Some therapies may help with symptoms • Physical Therapy • Muscle relaxants • Acupuncture • Connection to Vitamin D???

  19. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. Treatment / Prevention of ALS • Early education to patient and family on how to care for patient. • Special attention to airway • Can it be prevented?

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