Alzheimers Disease

Shelby Holle

Samantha Moore

Karlie Carlquist

Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease is a non reversible

type of dementia

Usually occurring in older adulthood,

characterized by gradual deterioration of
memory, disorientation, and other
features of dementia.

Most common type of all dementia

Progressive brain disorder

Patients lose verbal abilities with

increased sensitivity to nonverbal
messages

Types:
Early

Onset: Rare, reported

in patients in their 30s &
40s
Late Onset: Most common,
seen in people over 65 years

Occurrence:
An

estimated 5.2 million Americans have

Alzheimer's disease in 2014

More
Of

prevalent in elderly patients

the 5 million of people age 65 and older

with Alzheimer's in the U.S., 3.2 million are
women and 1.8 are men.

Etiology:
Etiology

is Unknown

-Theories include:

Genetics

Environment

Nutrition

Free Radical Theory of Aging- (A free radical is any atom or

molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell)

Infectious Agents- (Infection with several pathogens could

constitute risk factors for cognitive impairment, dementia, and
Alzheimer's disease)

Can be a combination of these things

Stages of Alzheimers Disease

Stage 1: No Impairment- Normal function

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline- May

be normal age related changes or earliest
signs of Alzheimers

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline- Earlystage Alzheimer's can be diagnosed in

some, not all, individuals with these
symptoms

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline- Mild

or early-stage Alzheimer's disease

Stages Continued:

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive

Decline- Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimers
disease

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive DeclineModerately or severe or mid-stage

Alzheimers disease

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive- Severe or

late-stage Alzheimers disease

Medications:

For mild to moderate symptoms

Cholinesterase Inhibitors:

Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept)

Rivastigmine (Exelon)

Galantamine (Reminyl)

Medications recommended for behavioral problems

Antidepressants

Antianxiety

Antipsychotics

Anticonvulsant (for the small percentage who have seizures)

Effects of Medications on Oral

Health:

Taste loss (Rivastigmine)

Tooth pain (Donepezil)

Hypotension

Hypertension

Syncope

Increased bleeding

Poor healing

Increased risk of infection

Treatment of Condition

No proven treatment or cure

NSAIDs may prevent the patient from

developing this disease

Drugs are used to slow down the

progression of disease

Treatment is mostly intended for support

of the family and the patient

Dental Treatment for

patients with Alzheimer's

No pre-med needed unless other conditions are

present

Patient positioning not specified, dependent on

patient preference and severity of disease

Short morning appointments

3 month recall recommended

Not capable of personal daily care

Contraindication:

Use of the Ultrasonic

DH Management

Caregiver must be present to understand and

consent to treatment

Caregiver needs to be educated about homecare

procedures for patient

Power toothbrush

Encourage daily plaque control

Monitor vitals at each appointment

Consider semi-supine chair position depending on

severity of disease

Express the need for dental treatment

Relationship between
Alzheimer's and Oral Health

A study has found that people with poor oral hygiene or

gum disease could be at higher risk of developing
Alzheimer's compared with those who have healthy teeth.

For the study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's

Disease, 10 brain samples from patients with dementia
were donated, alongside 10 brain samples from people
who had not had the disease

Examination of the samples revealed the presence of the

Porphyromonas gingivalis in the samples of the brains
affected by Alzheimer's.

The researchers say that this activity could lead to

symptoms such as confusion and deteriorating memory typical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Question #1
Alzheimers

Disease is a
reversible type of dementia.
True or False?

A. True
B. False

Question #2
Which

is NOT a type of medication

for behavioral problems?

A.

Antidepressants

B. Antianxiety
C. Anti-inflammatory
D. Anticonvulsant

Question #3

Very Mild Cognitive Decline may be

normal age related changes or later signs
of Alzheimers; Mild Cognitive Decline is
an Early-stage Alzheimer's can be
diagnosed in all individuals with these
symptoms.

A.

Both statements are true

B.

First statement is true, second is false

C.

First statement is false, second is true

D.

Both statements are false

References

Wilkins, E. (2013). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist (11th

ed., pp. 802). Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Wolters
Kluwer Business.

Alzheimers Association 2014- Alzheimers Facts and Figures.

Retrieved November 24, 2014 from http://www.m.alz.org/factsand-figures.asp

Alzheimers Society- Leading the Fight Against Dementia. Dental

Care and Dementia. Retrieved November 24, 2014 from
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Medical News Today- Alzheimers disease linked to poor oral health.

Retrieved December 1, 2014 from http://
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264164.php