UNIT FIVE: DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION

6-session Memory Enhancement Course

Objectives

Characterizing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Learning who suffers from Alzheimer’s, brain changes associated with, symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of AD

Exploring Alzheimer’s disease-like symptoms

Objectives

Understanding the importance of lifelong learning

Defining and describing clinical depression

Improving recognition of depressionExploring the causes and

physiological factors of depression

Brain Myth #5

Alzheimer’s Disease is a normal part of aging.

Brain Exercise

Which is the odd one out?

CAT MONKEY WHALE

MOUSE SHARK

Walter is standing behind Sally and at the same time Sally is standing behind Walter. How can this be?

Dementia

Dementia is a loss of intellectual function that interferes with a person’s daily functioning

Dementia impacts: Thinking Remembering Reasoning Language

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

• The most common dementia

• Involves the parts of the brain that control

thought, memory, and language

• Life span after diagnosis 3-20 years

• No cure for AD

– Treatment options

Who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease?

• 5.2 million Americans suffer from AD

• 10% of people over 65

• Usually begins after age 60

– Risk increases with age

• Younger people also

may get AD

Brain Changes with AD

• Nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities.

• Impairs thinking and memory by disrupting messages.

Normal Forgetting vs. Possible Alzheimer’s Symptoms

Normal Forgetfulness Forgetfulness in ADForgets part of experience Forgets an entire experience

Retraces steps to find misplaced keys

Unable to retrace steps

Forgets events long ago; remembers recent events

Forgets recent events

Repeats stories to distant friends

Repeats questions or stories within an hour

Follows written/spoken directions

Gradually unable to remember written/spoken direction

Symptoms of AD

• Initial stage: – Mild forgetfulness

• Middle Stage:– May forget how to do simple tasks or may get

lost – Begin to have problems speaking,

understanding, reading, or writing

• Later stage:– Total care is needed

AD-Like Conditions

– Thyroid problems– Drug reactions– Depression- “pseudodementia”– Delirium– Brain tumors– Head trauma– Blood-vessel disease– B-12 deficiency (below 400 can cause cognitive

impairment)– Syphilis– Alcohol– Parkinson’s (40% wrongly diagnosed as dementia)– Huntington’s Disease

How is AD Diagnosed?

• Physicians can only make a “possible” or “probable” diagnosis of AD

• Physicians can diagnose AD correctly approximately 85% of the time

• Tools to diagnose:– Clinical history– Cognitive/Neuropsychological

Test– Lab Tests

What Causes AD?

• Factors impact people differently• Age• Family history/genetics• Environment • Evidence shows that physical, mental, and

social activities are protective factors for AD

Risk Factors We Can’t Control

• Age

• Genetics

How is AD Treated?

• The course of disease varies from person to person

• No treatment can cure AD

• Drugs may prevent some symptoms from becoming worse

• Medications: Aricept (best improvement), Exelon, Razadyne, Namenda

• Balanced diet

Alzheimer’s Prevention

• Exercise regularly!• *Anti-oxidants:

– Vitamin E (2,000 units/day)• Note: vitamin E is a blood thinner

• Healthy for Heart, Healthy for Brain!• Lifestyle Matters

– Stimulating Activities: crossword puzzles, instruments, computers, etc.

*Note: Vitamin suggestions are general guidelines. Intake should be cleared by your physician

Lifelong Learning?

• Protects the brain by establishing “cognitive reserves”

• Brain is more adaptable and flexible

• Its never too late! Mental skills training can improve cognitive abilities for those suffering from AD

Brain Break! Exercise

A woman marries 11 men in the space of 10 years. She divorces none of them, none of them die and she has not committed any crime.

How is this possible?

Depression

• A sadness that is overwhelming and interferes with daily life – Lasts 2 weeks or more

• Not a normal part of growing older

• Under 65: more womenOver 65: equal for men and women

Depression

Responds well to treatment

May be difficult to diagnose

Greatest risk are those with physical illnesses

Depression is an illness, not a sign of “weakness”

Recognizing Depression

• Personality changes– Loses interest and pleasure in activities,

things, or people– “Drop out” and withdraw from social activities

• Isolation and loneliness– “Nothing I do matters”– “It’s just too hard to get going”

• Hard time putting feelings into words

Recognizing Depression

• Loss of energy• Feeling useless or hopeless• Irritability• Great concern with health problems• Sadness and crying• Worry and/or self-criticism• Loss of appetite and weight• Difficulty concentrating and/or making

decisions

Causes of Depression

• Usually a combination of factors:– Loneliness – Poor health– Financial problems– Life stressors: moving,

loss of loved one

Physiological Factors

• Genetic factors• Imbalance of brain chemicals called

neurotransmitters– May be more likely as people grow older– Medications are aimed at correction of

these imbalances• Side effects of certain medications (certain

BP meds, sedatives and sleeping pills)

Alcohol and Depression

• Alcohol can cause depression in all ages

• If taken with other drugs, interaction can aggravate depression symptoms

• Moderation, if at all, is key along with physician knowledge

Don’t Suffer in Silence

• Talk to your doctor, family member, minister, nurse, counselor, friend, crisis line or senior help line

• Medications and counseling are effective in restoring quality back to living

• Most people are surprised at how good it feels to feel good again!!

Brainwork

10 extra minutes of physical activity

Wake up the brain in the morning

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