Dementia
Start with the big picture
A dementia assessment should first consider reversible contributors, including vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, syphilis, and medication effects. Alzheimer disease is the most common etiology described in the source, alongside vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. The lesson connects Alzheimer disease’s cholinergic deficit and glutamate excitotoxicity with treatment choices: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for mild-to-moderate disease and memantine for moderate-to-severe stages or when those inhibitors are not tolerated. It also highlights adverse effects and precautions, avoiding medicines that may worsen cognition, and prioritizing non-drug strategies for behavioral symptoms. This preview outlines the framework; the full lesson develops the diagnostic, treatment, monitoring, and supportive-care topics.
What you'll learn
- Identify reversible causes to assess before diagnosing chronic dementia.
- Name common dementia etiologies and describe key Alzheimer disease mechanisms.
- Distinguish the roles of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.
- Recognize medication-related precautions and supportive approaches to behavioral symptoms.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
