Neurologic Disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease

Definition and Pathophysiology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes dementia through the progression from cognitive impairment to memory loss and alteration in behaviour. AD is the leading cause of dementia, mainly affecting older adults. According to Yarns et al. (2022), pathophysiology develops through the amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles accumulation that leads to neuron dysfunction and cell death: Neurologic Disorders: Alzheimer Disease.

The pathologic alteration produces dysfunction in the communication of neurons, causes dysfunction in the synapses, and provokes neuroinflammation that further hastens neuron death, particularly within the hippocampus. Acetylcholine depletion further contributes to the impairment of cognition that eventually leads to gradual cortical atrophy and worsening impairment of cognition over time (Kumar et al., 2024).

Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

AD is manifested by loss of memory, poor judgment, and difficulty in problem-solving. As AD progresses, the patient presents with disorientation, language impairment, and behavioural alteration that causes functional dependence. Clinical examination, neuropsychological tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to measure amyloid-beta and tau levels are part of the diagnosis (National Institute on Aging, 2022).

Treatment, Management, and Long-Term Neurologic Care

Treatment of AD aims to control the symptoms and delay progression. Cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil enhance cognition, while memantine modulates excitotoxicity. Cognitive therapy and routine schedules maintain function, but new therapies are targeting amyloid and tau pathology.

Multidisciplinary care is crucial to dealing with both medical and psychosocial complications in the long run. The patient needs assistance with daily care, behavioural control, and mobilization (Havreng-Théry et al., 2024).

Role of the Nurse Practitioner in AD Care

Nursing practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role at the micro, meso, and macro levels. At the micro level, NPs provide direct patient care, manage symptom control, and educate the family regarding the progression of the disease. At the meso level, NPs manage care from an interdisciplinary team, ensure patient advocacy for resources, and ensure transitions are seamless between care settings.

NPs also perform community outreach to provide awareness and early diagnosis. At the macro level, NPs influence healthcare policy, promote research, and advocate for funding to manage neurodegenerative diseases. NPs’ role in evidence-based practice enhances care delivery and patient outcomes. NPs influence AD management through education, advocacy, and direct care at each healthcare system level (Bera et al., 2023).

References

Bera, O. P., Mondal, H., & Bhattacharya, S. (2023). Empowering communities: A review of community-based outreach programs in controlling hypertension in India. Cureus, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50722

Havreng-Théry, C., Oquendo, B., Zolnowski-Kolp, V., Krolak-Salmon, P., Bertin-Hugault, F., Lafuente-Lafuente, C., & Belmin, J. (2024). Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are associated with a reduced mortality in nursing home residents with dementia: A longitudinal observational study. Alzheimer S Research & Therapy, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-024-01481-0

Kumar, A., Tsao, J. W., Sidhu, J., & Goyal, A. (2024, February 12). Alzheimer disease. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499922/

National Institute on Aging. (2022, October 18). What are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease? National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-symptoms-and-diagnosis/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease

Yarns, B. C., Holiday, K. A., Carlson, D. M., Cosgrove, C. K., & Melrose, R. J. (2022). Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 45(4), 663–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2022.07.003

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Choose a neurological disorder from the text.

• Define the condition.
• Address key points of pathophysiology, clinical manifestation and evaluation toward diagnosis and treatment. Use appropriate physiological terms in your response.
• Analyze data to consider aspects of neurological long term care that may impact care delivery.
• How might NP practice impact at a micro, meso, and macro level for patients with neurological disorders.
  

  Neurologic Disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease

Requirements:

• write APA 7th edition every paragraph
• 1 page paper
• Cite the end of each paragraph.
• 3 citations

Textbook:

• McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019).Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). St. Louis