1.1 Clinical: Intro to Neuro

Question 1

Encephalopathy. what does it affect?

Answer 1

• “disease of the brain” generally in its entirety (both cerebral hemispheres).
• affects the function or structure of the brain

Question 2

Huntington Disease

Answer 2

1. genetic encephalopathy
2. begins at age 30-40
3. progressive autosomal dominant disease;
4. personality changes, movement disorder, gait disturbances –> bedridden and death ~ 15 years after symptoms begin

Question 3

Rett Syndrome: what is it? cause? progression?

Answer 3

1. genetic disorder (Genetic but not inherited) almost exclusive to females: (XX vs. male XY)
2. progressive symptoms start ~ age 12-18 months: deterioration of memory, movements, coordination, communication, seizures

Question 4

Frontal lobe

Answer 4

organizing, planning, problem solving, behavioral/impulse control, personality

Question 5

Frontal Cortex

Answer 5

personality, problem solving, spontaneity, initiation, judgment, impulse control, social and sexual behavior

Question 6

Temporal Lobes

Answer 6

processing auditory information, comprehension of meaningful speech (mainly left hemispheric); memory, visual object recognition and long term storage of sensory input.

Question 7

Parietal lobe

Answer 7

processing of sensory information of touch (right side of brain affects sensation on left side of body, and vice versa) also, taste, temperature, language processing/integration;

Question 8

Hemispatial Neglect

Answer 8

usually involves the Right Parietal Cortex with neglect usually to the contralateral side.

Question 9

Apraxia

Answer 9

Usually involves the left parietal lobe;

An inability to carry out a task despite understanding the command, having the motor function and the will to do so.

Question 10

Occipital Lobes

Answer 10

Primary visual cortex (visual perception). Also Association areas with other lobes (frontal, parietal and temporal)

Question 11

Limbic System

Answer 11

“primitive” brain; produces emotional/instinctual responses

Question 12

Hippocampus

Answer 12

essential to formation of lasting memories.

Question 13

Thalamus

Answer 13

relays sensory information (vision, hearing taste, touch)

Question 14

Hypothalamus

Answer 14

control center for emotions, organizes behaviors, hormone release

Question 15

Cerebellum

Answer 15

at base of brain; regulates muscular coordination, tone, posture, balance, sensory perception. Has greatest concentration of neurons of any brain structure.

Question 16

Midbrain

Answer 16

upper cranial nerves nuclei, relay station for auditory and visual information, finer motor function (red nucleus, substantia nigra)

Question 17

Brown- Sequard Syndrome:

Answer 17

• Unique spinal cord pathology

- Presentation: motor loss opposite sensory loss

Question 18

temporal lobe: left side

Answer 18

perception of words, processing details, memory, auditory learning, complex memories, visual and auditory processing

Question 19

temporal lobe: right side

Answer 19

perception of melodies, reading facial expressions, visual learning.

Question 20

temporal lobe: left side

Answer 20

perception of words, processing details, memory, auditory learning, complex memories, visual and auditory processing

Question 21

temporal lobe: right side

Answer 21

perception of melodies, reading facial expressions, visual learning.

Question 22

parietal lobe dysfunction, generally

Answer 22

inability to write, lack of recognition, spatial dysfunction (right/left confusion), difficulties with self perception (hemi-neglect)

Question 23

occipital lobe lesions:

Answer 23

Lesions can cause color agnosia, movement agnosia, agraphia. visual disturbances

Question 24

Sensory pathways

Answer 24

1. from the peripheral nerves thru the spinal cord to the thalamus then brain
2. Pain/temperature (anteriolaeral aka spinothalamic tract) crosses right away in spinal cord
3. vibration/position/deep touch (dorsal column) crosses higher up (low Medulla).

Question 25

Motor Pathways:

Answer 25

Corticobulbar/Corticospinal tracts: Cross in pons (bulbar/facial sensation) or
Cross in low Medulla (limbs and body)

Question 26

pons

Answer 26

respiration

Question 27

medulla

Answer 27

heart rate, breathing swallowing