NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS WORKSHOP: 1. What neurological changes occur with ageing? How do the changes alter Function/behaviour? Physical Changes: - Brain Atrophy ( loss of mass ) - Impaired memory recall - Loss of white matter (myelin shealths) - Cortical Atrophy (reduced cortical density) - Reduced attentiveness Reduction in neurotransmitter production - Impaired ability for multitasking Most affected areas : Frontal lobe $ hippocampus Functional Changes: - Impaired cognitive function - Altered personality/ mood 2. What condition could explain Mr Tien's actions of urinating in the sink, as well as his restlessness and pulling out his nasal prongs? Condition: Delirium Reasons: confused acute onset could be infection ( e. UTI) restlessness Cognition function } motor control is fine and he is sociable = can't be dementia or depression 3. Differentiate between the clinical manifestations of depression, dementia and delirium Depression weeks to months Impaired - specifically in memory recall more likely to show facial expressions and engage socially expressions or engage socially Onset Attention and Concentration Apathy Dementia months to years Delirium hours to days Impaired . Able to orient with help from care taker Less likely to show facial Impaired Unable to orient themselves Perceptual Distortions (Hallucinations, Illusions delusions) Communication Less common/ less likely Mild impairment Depends on severity , less likely More common More common Impaired Impaired some what stable , reversible , decline in cognition Progressive, decline in cognition, sometimes reversible Course Treatment anti- depressants (SSRIS), psychotherapy treatments Management strategy fluctuating, reversible dependant on severity ) . declined cognition causes vary , treatments vary ( target causative )