Neuropsychological Tests Essays

Neuropsychological Tests Essays Neuropsychological Tests Essay Neuropsychological Tests Essay As Alzheimers develops, the patient may need help with house chores, cleaning and shopping, if possible, it is a good idea to let them help you as much as they can. If you are the sole carer, you will begin to realise how much help they will need. In severe cases the patient may need help with washing and dressing themselves. This can be hard for both a family carer and the patient, as the patient does not want to lose their pride. This may cause friction, as patient wants to help him or herself as much as possible, but will soon realise that you are only there to help. Speaking from personal experience, if the patient becomes unable to walk, the caring becomes a lot harder as 24-hour care is probably required. If you have a job and a family this may be virtually impossible. Employing a home help takes some of the strain of yourself, and frees up more time for you to enjoy spending time with the patient, talking to them taking them out to visit places as much as possible. Both the family and the patient would enjoy even a trip to the park. Four neuropsychologists, named Farias, Neumann, Harrful and Houtz in 2003 found that along with cognitive impairments, there were also impairments in daily tasks in the early stages of Alzheimers. In their study, the age of the patients did not make a difference to the results, but the level of education do. This was especially noticeable when the patient was using a phone or balancing a chequebook. This means that the more education someone has, the less likely they are to develop severe Alzheimers. If the patient has little education, it may be helpful to help them read more books or play games that test their general knowledge. Neuropsychological tests may help to give an idea of how much care a patient may need in regards to daily tasks, but should not be used solely, as the caregivers input would help to give a better idea.  I know there is no cure for Alzheimers disease but is there anything thing that can slow down the process? Although Alzheimers is irreversible, some treatment can help the memory and other disabilities associated with it. This treatment can be many things from dietary supplements to drugs.  There is a chemical in the brain named Acetylcholine (Ach for short). When someone has Alzheimers, there is a shortage of Ach. Ach has been found to cause problems with memory if its levels are too low. Some drugs can be administered to increase the levels of Ach. These included Cognex, a drug that prevents the breakdown of Ach, and Synapton, which causes more Ach to be made. These can both help the memory in someone with Alzheimers, it must be remembered that this may not always work, like many drugs, and that they must only be given in small doses because they have side effects if too much of the drug is administered. Dietary supplements, like vitamin E, can be given to the patient to help slow down the progression of the disease. Emilian and his colleagues first discovered this in 2001. Magnesium is thought to be a good supplement to keep the brain active.  Away from the drug side of things, counselling is thought to be a way to help the disease to slow down in its development. It is often useful for the patient to talk to someone outside the family or care circle. This can be done on a one to one basis or in a group. Unlike many other diseases or disorders, Zarit in 1980, said that it may not be a good idea to get the person to admit they have a problem because denial may be helping them to keep going without help. For the patient this means that if they think there is nothing wrong, they will continue to carry out daily tasks for longer instead of giving in. I believe that by keeping the brain active it may help to slow down the process of Alzheimers. The following suggestions are things I would like to have used with my Grandmother, they make not be clinically proven but they may help to prevent the deterioration of Alzheimers. These are also fun things for both you and the patient to do together.  Gene This is the smallest physical unit, which makes up DNA.  E4 Gene Allele A form of a gene, which is passed on through your parents. Cognitive A derivative of the word cognition, a collective word for the workings of the mind. This involves thinking, judging, reasoning, memory and planning.  Neuropsychologists A psychologist who specialises in cognition and brain function.  Neuropsychological Tests These detect impairments in various parts of the brain. Many different tests have been deigned to detect different impairments.  Acetylcholine A neurotransmitter found in the brain. The levels of this are below normal in a patient with Alzheimers.  Cognex A drug used to prevent the breakdown of Acetylcholine.  Synapton A drug used to maintain the levels of Acetylcholine.