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: Short-term memory

loss Psychosis,

aggression, may have personality changes,

Eventually loss of judgment, unable to care for oneself

Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

Alzheimer’s Association, 2011

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

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

Signs & Symptoms of PD

Tremor Rigidity Loss of reflexes Mask-like facial

expression

Surgical Treatment of PD

Deep brain stimulation Generates

electrical activity Not curative

Treatment / Prevention of PD Medications Physical therapy Occupational

therapy Supportive care

Prevention??

Multiple Sclerosis

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)

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

Treatment / Prevention of ALS Early education to

patient and family on how to care for patient. Special attention

to airway

Can it be prevented?