10.1 Brainstem, Arousal, Seep and Consciousness

Question 1

Define arousal

Answer 1

Emotional state associated with some kind of goal or avoiding something noxious

Question 2

Define consciousness

Answer 2

Awareness of external world and internal states

Question 3

What inputs information into the reticular formation?

Answer 3

Sensory input from the brainstem
Cortical input
Input from the eyes (uses orexin as neurotransmitter)

Question 4

What output does the reticular formation have?

Answer 4

Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Basal forebrain nuclei
All of these excite the cortex

Question 5

What can be done to help a person go to sleep?

Answer 5

Break the positive feedback loop by closing eyes, stop thinking and lie still to reduce input to the reticular formation

Question 6

What is epilepsy?

Answer 6

Excessive nerve cell activity in the cortex

Question 7

What can cause epilepsy?

Answer 7

Primary - Unknown tendancy towards seizures

Secondary - caused by stroke/tumour/trauma

Question 8

What are the broad classifications of epilepsy?

Answer 8

Partial

Generalised

Question 9

What are the different types of partial seizures?

Answer 9

Simple (conscious)

Complex (some impairment of consciousness)

Question 10

What are the different types of general seizures?

Answer 10

Tonic clonic

Absence seizure

Question 11

What can precipitate an epileptic seziure?

Answer 11

Head injury
Drugs/alcohol
Hypoglycaemia
Infection
Stroke
Subarachnoid haemmorhage
Poor compliance with AED therapy