Australian Doctor 4th August 2023 AD 4th Aug Issue | Page 38

38 HOW TO TREAT : YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA

38 HOW TO TREAT : YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA

4 AUGUST 2023 ausdoc . com . au

Plasma NfL in ND and PSY

Figure used with permission from D . Eratne .
Eratne et al , ANZJP , 2021 , in press

ND vs PPD AUC : 0.95

12pg / mL : 93 % sensitivity 85 % specificity ( PPV = 64 %) NPV = 98 %

Figure 1 . Plasma neurofilament light chain ( NfL ) in neurodegenerative ( ND ) and primary psychiatric disorders ( PSY ). Preliminary findings suggest that a cut-off of approximately 12pg / mL distinguishes neurodegeneration from psychiatric conditions and controls in predominantly younger people ( younger than 65 years old ). AD = Alzheimer ’ s disease , AUC = area under the curve , BPAD = bipolar affective disorder , bvFTD = behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia , MDD = major depressive disorder
PAGE 36
Additional services may
highest needs ) and risks if funding is
time providing care and support for
Living ( SIL ) and Supported Disabil-
weaknesses and strategies to miti-
include psychology or counselling ,
denied . GPs can also maintain refer-
patients with young-onset demen-
ity Accommodation ( SDA ). An NDIS
gate these . Executive deficits such as
social support , help with activities of
ral networks with allied health and
tia , which arguably may put them at
plan should include provision for
impairments in planning and organ-
daily living , speech pathology , physi-
social care providers with exper-
higher risk of adverse psychological
these increased supports with each
isation may be improved by struc-
otherapy and / or exercise physiology ,
tise in young-onset dementia . The
wellbeing .
annual review . The availability of
ture and routine . Activities of daily
cognitive training and home support
needs of a patient with young-on-
Living with a parent who has
suitable supported accommodation
living , practical issues such as safety
( for example , cleaning and cooking ). Occupational therapy can support
set dementia can change rapidly , and more quickly than the standard
young-onset dementia can have a significant impact on the nor-
is limited , so it should be discussed early and often to ensure placement
in the home , cooking and cleaning and other functional tasks can be
the patient and carer to implement
12-monthly NDIS review process . GPs
mal development of a child . This
can occur when needed .
assessed by an occupational thera-
problem solving and accommodations . If the patient is employed or volunteering , disability support services can assist both the patient and
play an important role in monitoring the needs and supporting the patient in accessing an earlier NDIS review where needed .
includes an insecure attachment , because the affected parent is not available and the unaffected parent has assumed additional respon-
MANAGEMENT
Multidisciplinary team care
WHILE there is currently no cure
pist ( OT ) for adjustments and recommendations . These include home modifications , such as a bigger bathroom or toilet , and the addition of
the workplace to implement accommodations to prevent early work cessation .
Family unit
Dementia occurring at a younger
sibilities ; this may cause conflicts in the family . 49 Children often also take on caring tasks prematurely and
for dementia , the management of young-onset dementia is complex and can be conceptualised from a
rails , different carpet and equipment , such as shower chairs and wheelchairs . Speech therapy can
Those with dementia will at some
age affects the entire family unit .
have difficulty managing the range
biopsychosocial perspective for the
assist with language and swallow-
stage need to stop driving ; refer
The individual with dementia can
of responsibilities , their schooling
individual and the family ( and argua-
ing assessment and communication
patients for a driving assessment
experience loss of identity and role
and their developmental milestones .
bly the community ). Where possible ,
aides . A social worker may assist
early and repeat yearly if there are
changes , feelings of hopelessness
This may lead to an increased risk of
include ongoing input from a dedi-
with financial matters , access to
concerns about their suitability to
and powerlessness and social exclu-
social , behavioural and emotional
cated young-onset dementia service
NDIS and legal affairs , such as capac-
drive .
Funding
Funding for social and allied healthcare services for young people with dementia transferred from the aged care system to the NDIS in 2017 . This was welcomed by people with young-onset dementia and their fam-
Managing psychiatric disorders , regardless of the presence of dementia , is crucial for maintaining quality of life .
sion . 41-43 The spouse often transitions into a caregiver ; this is challeng-
difficulties with the development of adverse mental health outcomes .
or specialist . In the early stages , at least , repeat assessments , including neuroimaging and neuropsychology , are recommended to characterise the dementia symptoms and rate of progression . 17 This will inform prognosis . Repeat assessments are important for diagnostic stability ; some dementias , in particular
ity , appointing power of attorney , accessing unemployment benefits and carer ’ s pension . 38
Non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments
Cholinesterase inhibitors ( donepezil
, galantamine , rivastigmine ) and
ilies , who felt that the goal-directed
ing , as they assume a different role
Children worry about the future , and
bvFTD , are ‘ unstable ’, with individ-
memantine ( an NMDA antagonist )
and strengths-based approach of the NDIS suited their needs . 8 However , recent research demonstrates that people with young-onset dementia and their families have ongoing diffi-
and more responsibility , in addition to loss of self-identity , changes in the spousal relationship and social
42 , 44 isolation . Spouses also face significant
they require practical and psychological support at various times . 49
Most people with dementia prefer to live and die at home ; cognitive , functional and behaviour
uals often diagnosed with a different condition , different dementia or
24 , 25
‘ undiagnosed ’. Patients with young-onset dementia can benefit from the ongo-
are indicated in young-onset AD for treatment of the cognitive symptoms , but do not modify disease progression . 53 Managing psychiatric disorders , regardless of the presence
culty accessing the NDIS and finding suitable services . In particular , some patients with young-onset demen-
financial stressors . Supporting spouses and families by checking in on their mental health , ensur-
impairments can necessitate longterm care . 50 Traditional residential care facilities for older adults
ing care of a collaborative multidisciplinary team . Regular medical ( psychiatry , geriatrics or neurology )
of dementia , is crucial for maintaining quality of life . Treat according to guidelines , such as with modified
tia report being denied access to the
ing there is access to and support
may be inappropriate for younger
review of cognition , behaviours , pre-
psychotherapy and antidepressants
NDIS because their impairments are not yet severe enough to meet the NDIS requirements . 8
available ( including counselling and psychological support ), as well as referral to the NDIS , can help .
people and not provide the care required . 51 The Australian Government has pledged that no-one aged
scribing and deprescribing of medications and general overview of the dementia is important , and the
with short-term benzodiazepines for depression and anxiety . 53 Tables 3 and 4 list management for young-on-
GPs can assist with this process
It is unclear whether caregivers
under 65 will be entering and living
addition of allied health profession-
set dementia and potentially revers-
by encouraging patients to make
of people with young-onset versus
in residential care by 2022 and 2025 ,
als can enhance management . Neu-
ible forms of young-onset dementia ,
an access request to the NDIS at
older-onset dementia experience
respectively . 52
ropsychology / detailed cognitive
respectively .
the time of diagnosis and providing access request reports that reflect the person ’ s ‘ worst day ’ ( that is , their
worse mental health , quality of life and caregiver burden ; 45-48 however , these care givers can spend more
The NDIS offers two types of supported disability housing for its clients : Supported Independent
assessments will determine stage and progression of dementia and can assist with cognitive strengths and
The behaviour changes associated with dementia can be stressful for carers and individuals with