Write a short overview summarising the key points that emerge from the personal histories posted to your tutor group wiki.

Part 1 Dementia personal histories activity

The question covers learning outcomes KU4, CS1 and KS1. The question as a whole should be answered in no more than 800 words. Marks will be awarded for synthesis and reflection (specific content and supporting examples) as well as for discussion. References cited as bibliography and in-text citations are not included in the word count.

Question 1

Write a short overview summarising the key points that emerge from the personal histories posted to your tutor group wiki.

Compare and contrast the overview you have written for part (a) with what is written in Chapter 1 in SDK228 Book 4 Dementias (Martins-Mourao, 2011).

Reference

Martins-Mourao, A. (2011) ‘The experience and diagnosis of dementia’, in SDK228
The science of the mind: investigating mental health, Book 4 Dementias, Milton Keynes, pp. 1–40.

Personal histories

For this activity, you will need to:

read the two personal history items below
raise points of interest on this, e.g. about the types, symptoms and diagnosis of dementia.
The links to the two postings are as follows:

Personal History 1. http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/EN/Living-with-dementia/Personal-experiences-of-living-with-dementia/Ramona-Amariei-Romania

Personal History 2. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2086675/How-did-miss-dementia– Karen-Hogans-mother-form-disease-nearly-common-Alzheimers-symptomsoverlooked.html?printingPage=true

Part 2 Short answer questions

The questions covers learning outcomes KU1-KU3, and CS1. Each question should be answered in no more than 200 words (all parts combined). References cited as bibliography and in-text citations are not included in the word count.

The breakdown (allocation) of marks corresponding to each question is provided for reference.

Question 1

Biomarkers (‘biological markers’) are considered crucial for diagnosing preclinical and early stages of dementia. Research into biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may help determine the likelihood of whether an individual will progress through the trajectory of AD.

What is the definition of a ‘biomarker’?
According to the definition you have provided for part (a), what other clinically-relevant function (i.e. apart from early diagnosis and detection of disease), can biomarkers serve?
List four established biomarkers of AD
Biomarkers should not be confused with ‘risk factors’. Explain why.

Question 2

Can Alzheimer’s dementia be distinguished from frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia? Explain your reasoning.

Question 3

Is it correct to say that Alzheimer’s disease is not a genetic disorder? Why is it important to continue the search for genes associated with AD? Provide specific examples in your answer.

Question 4

Why is it important to be able to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?

Distinguish between ‘non-modifiable’ and ‘modifiable’ risk factors for dementia. Use an example of each to support your answer. (2%)

Distinguish between ‘disease-modifying’ and ‘symptomatic’ drugs for Alzheimer’s
disease. Use an example of each to support your answer.

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