Question

compare and contrast major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimers disease versus major or mild frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder. For this discussion, you will need to place particular emphasis on how comprehensive assessment could help us to arrive at the correct diagnosis

Answer 1

Neurocognitive disorder are disorders that affects learning, memory and consciousness which develop later in life. It causes profound changes in behavior and personality.

Neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer disease

Frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder

1. It is a slow developing non- reversible brain disorder that results in a permanent loss of neurons and neuronal synapses 2. The loss of neurons is prevalent in the areas of the brain responsible for memory, function and cognition. 3. The level of acetylcholine is also decreased. 4. Risk is common in both males and females. Family history and age increases the risk. 5. Treatment - Pharmacologic management - Cholinsterase inhibitors, N- methyl- D- aspartic acid receptor antagonists

1. It is a mental health condtion characterized by abnormal shrinkage in two parts of the brain, called the frontal and temporal anterior lobes. 2. The shrinkage will affects the persons ability to use language, the ability to regulate the behavior etc. 3. Symptoms are loss of normal ability to make appropriate decisions or control impulsive urges loss of the ability to show empathy with others or develop personal motivation changes in self grooming or eating habits language or speaking difficulties such as aphasia difficulties with normal body movement such as rigid or tembling muscles, loss of teh ability to cordinate the activity. 4. It is both incurable and progressive. It often get worse over time. 5. Treatment - Main treatment goal is to manage the effects of frontotemporal dysfunction through the use of antidepressants.

The DSM - 5 recognizes two cognitive syndromes: major and mild neurocognitive impairement.

For the diagnosis of the major neurocognitive impairement, there should be a severe cognitive decline that will interfere with ADL and also they should not be caused by delirium or another neurologic, medical or psychiatric disorder.

For mild neurocognitive impairement, there will be milder cognitive decline that doesnot deprive them of the ability to lead an independent lifestyle and perform complex daily activities such as managing finances or driving a car.

According to the criteria of DSM, for the diagnosis of neurocognitive problems doesnot requires the loss of memory.

In general, the severity of the neurocognitive disorder depends on the symptoms shown and will be different from one person to another.