This book is written for students and those who work with elderly people with and without dementia. Based on neuropathology, characteristics for aging and dementia will be explained by simplified neuronal circuits. During the past few years, students appreciated this concept as it answers the question why changes in cognition, motor skills, and pain are typical for aging and for specific subtypes of dementia. Throughout the book, the most prevalent subtypes of dementia will be addressed, such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Concerning motor skills, the book focuses on hand motor activity and gait. Changes in the various aspects of pain experience are explained by neuropathology of the medial and lateral pain system. Importantly, this book also provides an update concerning compensation and rehabilitation.
Erik Scherder is professor in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and professor in Human Movement Sciences at the University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. He focuses on two lines of research: the relationship between physical activity & cognition in aging and dementia and the influence of dementia on pain.
VU University Press
www.vuuniversitypress.nl
ISBN 978 90 8659 721 5