AAC Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which protein forms the neurofibrillary tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?
- Beta-amyloid
- Tau (Correct answer)
- Alpha-synuclein
- TDP-43
Correct answer: Tau
Hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregates inside neurons to form neurofibrillary tangles, disrupting cell transport and contributing to neuronal death.
Question 2: A person with Lewy body dementia is most likely to experience which hallmark symptom NOT typically seen in Alzheimer's disease?
- Memory loss
- Vivid visual hallucinations (Correct answer)
- Language difficulties
- Apathy
Correct 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.
Question 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?
- Mild (early stage)
- Moderate (middle stage) (Correct answer)
- Severe (late stage)
- Preclinical stage
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which neurotransmitter is most significantly depleted in Alzheimer's disease, forming the basis for cholinesterase inhibitor treatments?
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Acetylcholine (Correct answer)
- GABA
Correct answer: Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine-producing neurons are among the first to be damaged in Alzheimer's, and cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing its breakdown.
Question 5: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) primarily affects which cognitive domains first?
- Memory and spatial orientation
- Behavior, personality, and language (Correct answer)
- Motor coordination and balance
- Visuospatial skills and attention
Correct answer: Behavior, personality, and language
FTD predominantly affects the frontal and temporal lobes, causing early changes in personality, behavior, and language rather than memory.
Question 6: What does the term 'sundowning' refer to in dementia care?
- Increased sleepiness in the morning
- Worsening confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening (Correct answer)
- Refusal to eat dinner
- Wandering behavior at night
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which genetic factor represents the greatest known risk gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease?
- PSEN1 mutation
- APP duplication
- APOE ε4 allele (Correct answer)
- TREM2 variant
Correct 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.
AAC Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias 2
Which protein forms the neurofibrillary tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?