Practice Test Geeks(AAC) Alzheimer's Association Certification Practice Test
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Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias Flashcards

7 cards from real AAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias flashcards as text

  1. Which protein forms the neurofibrillary tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?

    Answer: Tau

    Hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregates inside neurons to form neurofibrillary tangles, disrupting cell transport and contributing to neuronal death.

  2. A person with Lewy body dementia is most likely to experience which hallmark symptom NOT typically seen in Alzheimer's disease?

    Answer: Vivid visual hallucinations

    Recurrent vivid visual hallucinations are a core diagnostic feature of Lewy body dementia and help distinguish it from Alzheimer's disease.

  3. Which stage of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by significant memory loss, confusion about time and place, and the need for help with daily activities?

    Answer: Moderate (middle stage)

    The moderate or middle stage of Alzheimer's is the longest stage, during which damage spreads to areas controlling language, reasoning, and conscious thought.

  4. Which neurotransmitter is most significantly depleted in Alzheimer's disease, forming the basis for cholinesterase inhibitor treatments?

    Answer: Acetylcholine

    Acetylcholine-producing neurons are among the first to be damaged in Alzheimer's, and cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing its breakdown.

  5. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) primarily affects which cognitive domains first?

    Answer: Behavior, personality, and language

    FTD predominantly affects the frontal and temporal lobes, causing early changes in personality, behavior, and language rather than memory.

  6. What does the term 'sundowning' refer to in dementia care?

    Answer: Worsening confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening

    Sundowning describes a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness that typically occurs in the late afternoon and evening hours.

  7. Which genetic factor represents the greatest known risk gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease?

    Answer: APOE ε4 allele

    The APOE ε4 allele is the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's, increasing risk two to three times per copy carried.