Developmental psychology/Chapter 14 & 15/Neurocognitive Disorders

A neurocognitive disorder is a disease that affects one's ability to interact with people and think and retain information.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder (major NCD)

When one reaches the age of 60, their risk of attaining neurogenetic disorders increases. If we believe that as one's age increases, they will "automatically" bring a failure in intellect - which is not true whatsoever. The DSM-5 considers neurogenetic disorders as major (used to be known as dementia) or mild (used to be known as mild cognitive impairment). Mild sometimes precedes neurogenetic disorders. Some neurogenetic disorders are characterized by memory problems, poor judgements or mood swings.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder (major NCD) is the irreversible loss of intelligence caused by a brain disease. Poorest nations possess higher NCD rates. Neurogenetic disorders are the number one cause of morbidity (inability to move because of a disease) and the second most common cause of death. Education and public health decreases the rate of neurogenetic disorders. Just because someone posses great memory doesn't mean they are free of suffering neurogenetic disorders. Examples of neurogenetic disorders are...

• Alzheimer's Disease - Most common cause of NCD. This is characterized by a decrease in memory and personality. A diagnosis cannot be determined until plaques and tangles found in the cerebral cortex. Plaques are made out of proteins called "beta-amyloid" in tissues overwatching the neurons - tangles are twisted masses of threads made of a protein called "tau". Normal brains contain plaques and tangles, but an AD brain contains an excess. This disease is partly genetic, where if it were to be developed during one's middle ages, it is partly because they have down syndrome or one of three genes: amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1, or presenilin 2. Many genes can play a part in one developing AD in 75yrs+.
• Vascular Disease - These are usually linked with strokes, a temporary disruption of a blood vessel in the brain, or a series of strokes (transient ischemic attacks). The interruption of blood flow restricts oxygen, thereby damaging the brain. Symptoms of strokes are blurred vision, confusion and slowed speech. This correlates with the ApoE4 allele.
• Frontotemporal disorders usually happen after age 70+. Parts of the brain that deal with emotions deteroriate, which is why personality change is the biggest symptom. Death usually results in a couple years after attaining it.
• Parkinson's Disease - This disease begins with a lack of motor control and not impaired thinking as dopamine-producing neurons deteroriate. As age increases, the increased likelihood that their cognitive ability will be disrupted will increase.
• Lewy Body Disease - A NCD where Lewy body cells increase in the brain, where they disrupt the neurons communicating with each other. This may result in hypersexualness or they might gamble excessively.

Comorbidity exists, where one person can experience all these disorders. Repeated hits to the head leads to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Neurogenetic disorders can take place at any age but the risk increases at 60yrs+.

Prevention

• Although severe brain damage cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be controlled.
• Education, excersise (because of brain plasticity and increased blood flow) and maintaining good health may ease mild symptoms.
• Medications prevent strokes.
• Pathogens should be avoided.

Reversible Brain Diseases

• Depression
• Malnutrition and Dehydration
• Polypharmacy - The various side effects of multiple drugs an elderly person may take may cause neurological disorders. Doctors may conflict in their prescriptions, consumers may forget to take their pills at the right time, and drug interactions can cause memory loss. Stopping drugs does not solve the issue, but it remains complicated - especially with money, where some may not be able to afford desired drugs but spending money on desired drugs can reduce hospitalization.