THIS IS NOT ALZHEIMER S: An Overview of Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, & Frontotemporal Dementia

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1 1 THIS IS NOT ALZHEIMER S: An Overview of Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, & Frontotemporal Dementia Author: Lynn Biot-Gordon, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., C.D.P. Executive Director, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners

2 2 This in-service presentation has been prepared for the exclusive use for the trainer to use as a facility training only and can not be used for public or private seminars for a cost/sale. This slide presentation can not be changed or modified in any way. Reproduction of any kind of this presentation is strictly prohibited.

3 3 Author: Lynn Biot-Gordon, MSW, LCSW, CDP Lynn Biot-Gordon is a licensed clinical social worker with a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and the Executive Director of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, a nationally recognized dementia education and resource company. She is the founder of Gordon Social Work Consultants, a social work consulting firm which provides continuing education and inservices on a variety of topics to health care professionals, patients, and their families. Lynn is a nationally recognized consultant and health educator with a career that spans over 20 years.

4 4 Objectives Understand and recognize the characteristics of vascular dementia Understand and recognize the characteristics of Lewy Body dementia Understand and recognize the characteristics of Frontotemporal dementia

5 5 Dementia is it the disease of the 21 st century? More older patients = more dementia Dementia is most closely associated with growing old Dementia - one of the world's fastest growing diseases -- won't go away and it is fast becoming "everyone's problem Statistics surrounding dementia are staggering world wide 24 million people living with some form of dementia -84 million by the year 2040

6 6 Types of Dementia Alzheimer s accounts for 50-80% of dementia cases There are as many as 50 other known causes for dementia

7 7 Vascular Dementia accounts for 10-20% of cases Lewy Body accounts for 5-10% of cases Frontotemporal accounts for 4-20% of cases Mixed Dementia %

8 8 Alzheimer s Disease Since Alzheimer s Disease accounts for twothirds of all dementia cases, we tend to ASSUME that most cases are Alzheimer s Have you met a patient that made you wonder if it was really Alzheimer s Disease affecting their brain?

9 9 Initial Dementia Evaluation (Will Include The Following Tests, But Is Not Limited To): CBC Glucose, electrolytes, BUN/creatinine, liver function tests Serum Vitamin B12 Thyroid function tests Depression screening Substance abuse/misuse screening

10 10 Vascular Dementia Second most common in U.S., especially in old old patients Memory loss, plus loss in at least one other cognitive area Occurs as a result of cerebrovascular disease

11 11 What does Vascular Dementia look like? Vascular dementia has a stepwise progression with periods of stability Frequently combined with other dementias, so vascular dementia by itself, is likely uncommon Common for the patient to also have depression along with the dementia

12 12 Lewy Body Dementia Lewy body dementia is an irreversible brain disease Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal microscopic deposits of protein in nerve cells, called lewy bodies Lewy Body protein destroys the cells over time

13 13 Lewy Body Dementia (cont d) Often found in damaged regions in the brains of persons with Parkinson's disease Has symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease In rare cases, the disease is passed from generation to generation

14 14 What does Lewy Body Dementia look like? Progressive cognitive decline, occurring before or with parkinsonism (tremors, rigidity, postural instability, and slow movement) Patient s behavior may have delirium-like features at times

15 15 What does Lewy Body Dementia look like? (cont d) Patient may present with visual hallucinations Dementia begins within 12 months of motor features of parkinsonism (tremors, rigidity, postural instability, and slow movement)

16 16 Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Is an inherited disease (first degree relative, such as a parent or sibling) Is caused by an abnormal change (mutation) in a gene that makes tau protein The tau protein becomes altered and cannot carry out its normal functions The tau protein bundles up into tangles and chokes healthy nerve cells

17 17 Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Causes deficits in the frontal lobe of the brain: Impairs verbal fluency Impairs attention Impairs planning ability Impairs ability to problem solve Impairs abstract thinking

18 18 What does Frontotemporal Dementia look like? Symptoms start at younger age group (40 s 60 s) Loss of insight Early personal and social inappropriate behaviors /unsocial attitudes or actions Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors including hoarding and gluttony

19 19 What does Frontotemporal Dementia look like? (cont d) Uncaring and apathetic attitude Verbal expressions out of context of the situation Eventually the patient becomes mute Weakening of the limb muscles, swallowing ability, and breathing There is no evidence that current anti-dementia medications are effective in patients with FTD

2016 Programs & Information

Mayo Alzheimer s Disease Research Clinic Education Center 2016 Programs & Information BROCHURE TITLE FLUSH RIGHT for Persons & Families impacted by Mild Cognitive Impairment Alzheimer s Disease Dementia