What protein, when its activity becomes abnormal, is considered key to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease?

Correct answer: Tau protein

Explanation

This question tests the understanding of the specific proteins involved in the formation of the two main biological markers of Alzheimer's disease, differentiating the role of tau protein (tangles) from beta-amyloid (plaques).

Other questions

Question 1

According to the text, what is the field of psychology that is dedicated to the mental health of elderly people and has developed almost entirely within the last 30 years?

Question 2

What percentage of people experience depression at some point during old age?

Question 3

What is the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder experienced by elderly persons, according to survey data presented in the text?

Question 4

What is the leading substance problem among the elderly, which is most often unintentional?

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the cognitive disorder known as delirium?

Question 6

What is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all cases?

Question 7

What is the prevalence of dementia among people over the age of 85, as stated in the text?

Question 8

What are senile plaques, a key structural change in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Question 9

What are neurofibrillary tangles, another key structural change in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

Question 10

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs before the age of 65, is often called familial Alzheimer's and has been linked to mutations in genes on which three chromosomes?

Question 11

What is the name of the gene form on chromosome 19 that makes people particularly vulnerable to developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease?

Question 12

Which two brain structures are identified as being most important for transforming short-term memory into long-term memory and are often damaged in cases of dementia?

Question 13

What two chemicals are mentioned as being in low supply or functioning differently in the brains of Alzheimer's victims, potentially contributing to the symptoms?

Question 14

What is the alternative name for vascular dementia, which may follow a stroke?

Question 15

How does the onset of symptoms in vascular dementia typically differ from the onset in Alzheimer's disease?

Question 16

Which form of dementia is caused by a slow-acting virus and often includes spasms of the body?

Question 17

What is the typical time between onset and death for a person with Alzheimer's disease?

Question 18

What class of drugs, currently prescribed for Alzheimer's patients, affects the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and glutamate?

Question 19

What is one of the most frequent reasons for the institutionalization of Alzheimer's victims?

Question 20

What is a 'health-maintenance' or 'wellness promotion' approach to aging?

Question 21

In the DSM-5 proposal described in the chapter, what term is suggested to replace 'dementia'?

Question 22

What new category was proposed for DSM-5 to describe mild dementia-like symptoms that might reflect an early stage of a cognitive disorder?

Question 23

What is the projected population of elderly people (age 65 and older) in the United States by the year 2030?

Question 24

At any given time, what percentage of the nonelderly population experiences delirium, compared to 14 percent of those over 85?

Question 25

Research suggests that what percentage of the total nursing home population in the United States is currently being given antipsychotic drugs, often to sedate and manage them?

Question 26

What is the primary difference between early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease regarding family history?

Question 27

The autoimmune theory of Alzheimer's disease speculates that the disease may be caused by what process?

Question 28

Which inherited progressive disease can cause dementia and is characterized by memory problems, personality changes, and severe twitching and spasms?

Question 29

What is the primary goal of behavioral interventions for Alzheimer's patients as described in the chapter?

Question 30

What percentage of elderly people would benefit from mental health services, and what percentage actually receive them?

Question 31

In the context of issues affecting the mental health of the elderly, what is meant by the term 'triple jeopardy'?

Question 32

What percentage of the elderly population in the United States lives in nursing homes at any given time?

Question 33

The suicide rate among the elderly in the United States is 16 per 100,000 persons. How does this compare to the overall suicide rate in the country?

Question 34

Which type of facility is a sociocultural approach to treatment where individuals with dementia live in cheerful apartments, receive supervision, and participate in stimulating activities?

Question 35

How many chronic illnesses do about 40 percent of adults over 65 have?

Question 36

What is a key difficulty in using antidepressant drugs effectively and safely with older persons?

Question 37

Among older problem drinkers, a distinction is often made between those who have had alcohol problems for many years and those who start the pattern in their 50s or 60s. What is the latter group sometimes called?

Question 38

Psychotic symptoms in elderly people, such as those seen in schizophrenia or delusional disorder, are usually due to what?

Question 39

When elderly people are admitted to a hospital for a general medical condition, what fraction of them shows symptoms of delirium?

Question 40

Which of these is NOT listed as a common cause of delirium?

Question 42

A leading theory about the progression of Alzheimer's holds that the formation of plaques by beta-amyloid proteins causes what subsequent event?

Question 43

Which brain area, located just behind the forehead, is identified as being among the most important structures in short-term (or working) memory?

Question 44

Some studies suggest that long-term use of which type of common over-the-counter medication may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease?

Question 45

What is the estimated percentage of people with chronic alcoholism who develop Korsakoff's syndrome, an amnestic disorder?

Question 46

According to research on amnestic disorders, Korsakoff's syndrome is caused by a deficiency of which vitamin, resulting from excessive drinking and poor diet?

Question 47

What percentage of accuracy did PET scans have in predicting Alzheimer's disease years before the onset of symptoms, according to the research described?

Question 48

How many caregivers of Alzheimer's sufferers are women, according to Figure 18-4?

Question 49

According to the chapter, why might elderly people in minority groups be less likely to seek mental health care?

Question 50

What percentage of people with dementia are cared for by their relatives?