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Chapter 1 - Overview

from Section 1 - Essential Background Knowledge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2024

Simon Gerhand
Simon Gerhand
Affiliation:
Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
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Summary

This chapter provides an introduction to dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It covers the incidence and prevalence of the most common forms of dementia, and explains the underlying causes in terms of different types of proteinopathy. Risk factors for development of dementia are reviewed, along with protective factors. The role of age is also considered as different subtypes of dementia peak during different age ranges. The contribution of genetics and epigenetics is reviewed, along with the importance of blood supply, sleep, and inflammation. The theory of cognitive and neuronal reserve is introduced as one of the factors which can predict which people are more or less likely to develop dementia and MCI. Connectomics and the arrangement of the brain into circuits is covered, along with developments in neuro-imaging.

Keywords

dementiamild cognitive impairmentmajor neurocognitive disordermild neurocognitive disorderoverviewpathology
Type
Chapter
Information
The Neuropsychology of Dementia
A Clinician's Manual
 , pp. 1 - 14
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Overview
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.002
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  • Overview
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.002
Available formats
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  • Overview
  • Simon Gerhand, Hywel Dda Health Board, NHS Wales
  • Book: The Neuropsychology of Dementia
  • Online publication: 25 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009025911.002
Available formats
×