Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders PDF

Preview

Summary

A paper on neurodevelopmental disorders...

Description

1

Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders PSY/410 December 17, 2018 James Reeves

2 Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Disorders The human body, while strong and able to adapt to many different environments and changes, has many things that can affect it and cause changes that may not be so positive or helpful. Examples of this are neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders. Both of these disorders occur within an individual’s brain, but they have various characteristics and differences that set them apart from each other. Neurodevelopmental disorders are groups of disorders that can include “developmental brain dysfunction, which can manifest into neuropsychiatric problems or impaired motor function, learning, language, or non-verbal communication” ("Neurodevelopmental Disorders", 2018). An example of this type of disorder is cerebral palsy. Neurocognitive disorders are what happens when there’s a loss of neural cells that can result in a form of brain damage. An example of this is Alzheimer’s Disease. Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s motor functions (Cerebral Palsy, 2014-2018). The disorder affects children and impairs movement and posture, as well as their motor skills (Cerebral Palsy, 2014-2018). Cerebral palsy is caused while the baby develops and the brain experiences an issue with the migration of the brain cells that doesn’t allow them to be placed properly in order to support the proper development (Cerebral Palsy, 2014-2018). It can also be caused during birth where the brain could be damaged due to the deaths of brain cells, which can happen due to a lack of oxygen or broken blood vessels (Cerebral Palsy, 2014-2018). Another way to develop the disorder is through postnatal damage when possible trauma, asphyxiation, or an infection does not allow the brain to create proper synapses between brain cells (“Causes of Cerebral Palsy”, 2018). It may develop later due to abuse, injury, or illness (“Causes of Cerebral Palsy”, 2018).

3 Cerebral palsy affects the child’s muscle control, posture, and balance, as well as their fine, gross, and oral motor skills (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Those with this disability may also have epilepsy, learning disabilities, sensory impairment and pain (“Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy”, 2018). Other symptoms include developmental delays such as crawling or walking later than the average child would, and simple everyday tasks such as walking and grabbing objects are usually difficult (Cerebral Palsy, 2014-2018). Additionally, mental health problems can also be symptoms (Bjorgaas, Boe, & Hysing, 2013). Prevalence and Treatment of Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood motor disability, affecting about four out of one thousand births, and one in three hundred and twenty-three children being identified with the disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Cerebral palsy does not have a cure, however, with the proper treatment and support, that include a series of doctors, therapists, and the proper educational tools, individuals with this disability can lead near-normal lives (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2018). For treatment, medication is usually necessary in order to reduce tightness in muscles in order to increase functional ability, decrease pain, and manage other symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2018). Generalized tightness may treat muscle relaxants such as Valium and Botox to decrease drooling. Therapy is also an effective way to improve functional abilities for those with cerebral palsy. Behavioral therapy is based on the belief that behavior is learned through an individual’s environment and can be changed (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014). Behavioral therapy can help the person develop life skills, help them to manage stress, and help them learn to deal with traumatic events that may occur (“Treatment for Cerebral Palsy”, 2018). Through

4 multiple activities, the individual can learn to develop their own independence depending on the degree of their disability and can also learn to live and enjoy a healthy life. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s is a neurocognitive disorder that affects millions of people every year in the United States and is one of the most progressive and fatal of the neurocognitive disorders. This disorder is mostly associated with dementia because it is the leading cause and factor when it comes to developing dementia, and can have either a fast or slow onset. Regardless, once an individual has it, it progresses quickly causing them to deteriorate and pass away. While it can occur in younger people, it usually affects those starting at the age of sixty and up, causing it to be the leading disease amongst the older generation. There are seven stages present in Alzheimer’s, and the symptoms vary from person to person and depending on the stage they are in. Common symptoms are seen in the early stages, which include difficulty remembering new information, difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings, losing a valuable object, and trouble with planning or organizing (Mayo Clinic, 2018). As the individual enters the later stages, the symptoms become much more severe such as becoming disoriented, mood and behavior changes, unknown suspicions about loved ones and professionals helping them, and difficulty walking (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Those who have these symptoms often find it difficult to see that they have a problem and struggle to accept it. There is no exact cause for Alzheimer’s for all people, and there are different possible causes for this disorder. According to scientists, for many people, it is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time (Mayo Clinic, 2018). There is a less than one percent chance that there is a genetic change that can virtually guarantee that a person can develop Alzheimer’s, and for those who do have that rare genetic

5 change, these occurrences usually result in developing the disease during middle age (Mayo Clinic, 2018). It isn’t fully understood what causes this disease, but “at its core are problems with brain proteins that fail to function normally, disrupt the work of brain cells (neurons) and unleash a series of toxic events” (Mayo Clinic, 2018, Causes). When a neuron is damaged, it loses its connection to other neurons and eventually dies. The damage usually starts in the part of the brain that controls memory and the loss of neurons spreads to other parts of the brain, causing the brain to shrink by the later stage of Alzheimer’s (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Prevalence and Treatments of Alzheimer’s More than five million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, with 5.5 million of them being people over the age of 65 ("Alzheimer's Facts And Figures", 2018). One in ten people over the age of 65 and older has Alzheimer’s, and almost two-thirds are women ("Alzheimer's Facts And Figures", 2018). While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s yet, there are a few treatments that could be done in order to slow the progression of the disease and to help individuals who have it. As an individual begins to lose their memory, they can become depressed and withdrawn from friends and family. A treatment for this could be a psychosocial intervention. “Psychosocial interventions for mental health and substance use disorders are interpersonal or informational activities, techniques, or strategies that target biological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, social, or environmental factors with the aim of improving health functioning and well-being” (England, Butler, & Gonzalez, 2015, "Psychosocial Interventions"). Through this treatment, the individual will be exposed to activities and exercises that help to alleviate depression and anxiety, as well as possibly slow the quick pace of the disease.

6 Another treatment is the use of pharmaceuticals. Most medications work for individuals in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s and can help slow down the symptoms and lessen the progression (National Institute on Aging, 2018). For those in the more severe stages, a medication known as Namenda is often prescribed, and the main effect is to decrease symptoms so some individuals can maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they usually would (National Institute on Aging, 2018). Like all medications, patients need to be monitored when they start taking them as they can have a series of side effects. Conclusion In conclusion, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders are both disorders that occur in the brain but treat our bodies differently. Cerebral palsy is a disability that affects children either before, during, or after childbirth and is a lifelong disability. Through therapy and medications, individuals with this disability can live a long and moderately healthy life. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurocognitive disorder that mainly affects those sixty and older, and can be a debilitating thing to live with. Through psychosocial interventions and medications, it can be slowed down and individuals with the disorder can enjoy life as much as they can.

7 References Alzheimer's Facts and Figures(2018). Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimersdementia/facts-figures Bjorgaas, I. E., Boe, T., & Hysing, M. (2013). Mental Health in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Does Screening Capture the Complexity?. The Scientific World Journal, 2013(Article ID 468402), 7. doi:10.1155/2013/468402 Butcher., J. N., Hooley, J. M., and Mineka, S., (2014) Abnormal Psychology (16th ed.) Published by Pearson. Causes of Cerebral Palsy(2018). Retrieved from https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebralpalsy/cause Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Data & Statistics for Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Official MADDSP and MADDS Surveillance Case Definitions. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/casedefinitions.html# Cerebral Palsy: Types, Diagnosis & Research. (2014-2018). Retrieved from http://www.disabledworld.com/health/neurology/cerebral-palsy/ England, M. J., Butler, A. S., & Gonzalez, M. L. (2015). Psychosocial Interventions for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A Framework for Establishing Evidence-Based Standards.. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321284/. Mayo Clinic. (2018). Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

8 Mayo Clinic. (1998-2018). Cerebral palsy. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/cerebral-palsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354005 National Institute on Aging. (2018). How Is Alzheimer's Disease Treated?. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-treated Neurodevelopmental disorders(2018). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/subjects/neurodevelopmental-disorders Treatment for Cerebral Palsy(2018). Retrieved from https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/aboutcerebral-palsy/treatment Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy(2018). Retrieved from https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/sign-and-symptoms...