2. Neurophysiology Flashcards
How does Mg prevent excitotoxicity in brain?
Blocks Ca and NMDA channels
Most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?
Glutamate
Cellular elements of BBB
Endothelial cells
Astrocyte endfeet
Pericyte
Capillary endotheilal cells connected by tight junctions
Areas of brain without a blood-brain barrier:
Pituitary gland.
Median eminence.
Area postrema.
Preoptic recess.
Paraphysis.
Pineal gland.
Endothelium of choroid plexus.
Platelet function after SAH?
Enhanced leading to increased platelet aggregation in cerebral microcirculation
Cerebral blood flow immediately after SAH?
Decreases
What is GPIIb/IIIa?
Platelet surface integrin - mediator of platelet aggregation
Dense granules of platelets?
5HT, ATP, PDGF
Disturbed balance of which peptide contributes to vasospasm?
Endothelin 1 (vasoconstriction) and nitric oxide (vasodilation)
Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide generates highly reactive hydroxyl radical - name?
Haber-Weiss reaction
Mechanism of steroid treatment in blunt spinal cord injury?
Local blood flow, inhibition of immunologic injury, and free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation and neuronal damage
What is S100B?
Calcium binding protein abundant in astrocytes - may be neuroprotective/neurotrophic
What is Windkessel phenomenon?
Cerebral vasculature expand and ability of CSF/venous blood to translocate to accomodate arterial pulsations and provide smooth capillary flow in the brain
Ischemic penumbra?
Region where cerebral blood flow reduction has passed threshold that leads to failure of electrical but not membrane function - structurally intact, but functionally disturbed
Role of infiltration with local anesthetic at beginning of a case?
Prevents activation of nociceptors during surgery and lessens need for analgesics
Structural unit of gap junction
Connexon allows direct electrical communication between cells
Functions of TGF beta?
Development/progression of brain tumors
What enzyme is inhibited by acetazolamide?
Carbonic anhydrase
Difference between bioactive Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) and platinum GDC?
Bioactive coil accelerates clot and promotes development of mature connective tissue
Mutation in Crouzon syndrome
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 - absence of ligand binding - premature fusion of cranial sutures leading to abnormal cranium shape, restricted growth and increased ICP
Baclofen mechanism?
GABA agonist
Hyparrhythmia
Chaotic, high amplitude EEG (Infantile spasm)
Hypsarrhythmia is a classical multifocal electroencephalographic finding in patients of infantile spasm and related epileptic syndromes of early childhood including West syndrome and Otahara syndrome. It usually presents in early infancy and persists up to the age of two years, after which it usually resolves
Subsidence?
Loss of vertebral column heigh with aging
Genetic defect in Gorlin syndrome?
autosomal dominant
Mutation of PTCH gene that predisposes to neoplasias and widespread congenital malformations
Water channel proteins of the brain?
Aquaporins
Most common agent for pharmacologic dilatation of vasospastic cerebral vessels?
Papaverine hydrochloride - endothelium-independent smooth muscle relaxant
How do intervertebral disks receive nutrition?
Passive diffusion from capillary beds in subchondral endplate region of vertebral body
Composition of PEEK cage
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacers - strong polymer that withstand compressive load of vertebral column
Common areas of leptomeningeal dissemination for tumors
Basilar cisterns, sylvian fissure, cauda equina (gravity and slower rate of CSF)
Resting membrane potential in myelinated pheripheral nerves? in soma?
~ 90 mV and ~ 65 mV
Determined by K+ (100x more permeable than Na+)
Botulinum toxin mechanism
Inhibit release of ACh from presynaptic terminal
Where do AP in neurons start?
Axon hillock (7x more voltage-gated Na channels there) - depolarize much easier than soma
Factors that determine velocity of propagation of AP
Inverse of internal resistance
Inverse of membrane capacitance
Proportionate by transmembrane resistance
Myelin increases resistance/decreases capacitance
Conduction velocity of small unmyelinated and large myelinated nerves?
0.5 m/s
120 m/s
How does hypocalcemia lead to tetany?
Less Ca2+ in interstitial fluid, Na+ open sooner - lower threshold of membrane depolarization
How does hyperventilation lead to seizure?
Respiratory alkalosis (increase pH) -> increase membrane excitability and induce seizure
How big is a synaptic cleft
20-30nm
What is unique about synthesis of neurotransmitter NE?
Synthesized within vesicle by dopamine alpha-hydroxylase (dopamine to NE)
2 types of ACh receptors
- Nicotinic (NMJ, preganglionic endings of both sym and parasym fibers)
- Muscarinic - postgan parasympathetic and postganglionic sympathetic of sweat glands
2 main inhibitory neurotransmitters of CNS
GABA and glycine
GABA receptor mechanism
5 subunit with central Cl- channel - causes hyperpolarization
Which body part has largest area of representation in primary somatosensory area?
The lips