[216B] Neuro Part 2 Flashcards
Should you treat a headache if you’re not sure what the cause is?
No >:0
What is the tx for headaches if serious pathologies are ruled out?
Analgesics.
What are the criteria to diagnose chronic migraine?
Headache for more than 15 days per month for more than 3 months.
There is a higher incidence of chronic migraines in:
Adult women.
Chronic migraines are often linked to:
Genetics.
What do we call chronic migraines that begin in childhood?
“Childhood periodic syndrome”.
What is the primary sequelae associated with chronic migraines?
Trigeminal nerve irritation > inflammation within the meningeal vasculature (blood vessels in the meninges).
What are the 2 main categories of chronic migraines? Which is more common?
- Without aura - more common.
2. With aura.
Describe chronic migraines with auras.
More pronounced visual disturbances preceding the headache.
Which category of headache is more difficult to diagnose? Why?
With aura, because many people will experience some kind of symptom before the onset of a migraine (“prodrome fatigue”).
Which s&s of chronic migraines is particularly common in childhood periodic syndromes?
N&V.
Which analgesic class is particularly effective for tx of chronic migraines?
NSAIDs.
________ agonists may be used as tx for chronic migraines. Why?
Serotonin agonists are inhibitory in the CNS, so they have a calming effect and will balance out brain activity.
The ______ drug class consists of serotonin agonsist.
Triptan.
List 2 examples of meds from the triptan drug class.
Sumatriptan.
Zolmitriptan.
________ superficial scalp IM injections can be used as tx for chronic migraines. Why?
Botox is anti-inflammatory and decreases neurotransmitter hyperstimulation.
What are 2 adjunct meds that can be used for tx of chronic migraines?
Caffeine.
Antiemetics.
Which antiemetic class should be avoided when choosing an adjunct med for tx of chronic migraines? Why?
Avoid serotonin inhibitors - they would counteract the serotonin agonists (primary med for tx).
What is our primary resource used to classify psychiatric disorders on a biologic basis?
The DSM (diagnostic & statistical manual).
Common symptoms of psychiatric disorders (2):
Hallucinations.
Delusions.
Hallucinations are abnormalities of:
sensory perception.
Describe the expected pathway of perception (general).
Sensory organ > appropriate nerve > thalamus > appropriate cortical region.
The primary visual cortex is responsible for ______ the image, while the visual association cortex is responsible for __________ the image.
“Seeing”
“Interpreting”
Describe the 2 possible etiologies associated with hallucinations.
1, Sensory block: stored images replace real-time intel.
2. Neuronal dysfunction: image creation via neuronal hyperactivity/pathway dysfunction/disease.
In what 2 situations might we expect sensory block hallucinations?
- Sensory deprivation.
2. Sensory dysfunction (ex: blindness).
List 2 possible causes of hallucinations due to neuronal dysfunction.
- CNS drugs.
2. Pathology (ex: tumors).
Delusions are abnormalities of:
thought.
Delusions are abnormalities of:
thought.
Delusions are caused by _________ or _____________ influences, such as:
Environmental or existential influences, such as:
- Education
- Religion
- Social experiences
- Stressors
What is psychosis?
A perceptive loss of reality.
Can someone be diagnosed with psychosis?
No, it is not a diagnosis but a presentation.
List 4 signs and symptoms of psychosis.
- Hallucinations.
- Delusions.
- Lack of awareness & judgement.
- Mood/affect alterations.
What are 5 potential causes of psychosis?
- Mental health illnesses.
- Drug side effects/toxicity (ODs)
- Electrolyte imbalances.
- Sepsis (elderly).
- Hospital induced overstimulation (ex: ICU) (infants/children/elderly).
Schizophrenia is the dysfunction of (2):
Thoughts & language expression.
What are the s&s of schizophrenia?
Abnormal behaviours & movement.
List the 3 types/dimensions of schizophrenic behaviour.
- Disorganized.
- Psychotic (positive symptoms).
- Negative symptoms.
Describe disorganized schizophrenic behaviour.
Incomprehensible speech (ex: invented words, disconnected words/thought processes, disorganized words).
List 3 positive schizophrenic symptoms.
- Hallucinations.
- Delusions (paranoias & disorganized thought processes).
- Agitation.
List 3 negative schizophrenic symptoms.
- Pt withdrawn.
- Apathy.
- Lack of motivation/happiness.
Which dimension of schizophrenic behaviour is hardest to treat? Which has the worse prognosis?
Negative symptoms for both.
Explain the neurotransmitter theory for schizophrenia.
Dopamine neurotransmitter theory: there is a dopamine excess, leading to hyperactivity (abnormal behaviours/movements).
What are the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia?
At least 2 of the behavioural dimensions + 2 other functional alterations (ex: hygiene).
What drug class do we use for tx of schizophrenia?
Antipsychotics (narcoleptics).
What are the 2 target receptors for antipsychotics? What actions are taken at these receptors?
- D2 dopamine receptors in the limbic system - selective blocking.
- 5HT receptors - non selective + Ach blockade.
The limbic system D2 receptors are responsible for:
Mood, behaviour & emotion control.
Antipsychotics may unintentionally block:
This results in side effects known as:
D2 receptors in the basal ganglia.
Extrapyramidal side effects.
List 5 examples of extrapyramidal side effects.
- Tardive dyskinesia (tongue movement).
- Parkinsonism (rigidity).
- Tremors.
- Restlessness.
- Dystonias (muscle spasms).
List 3 anticholinergic side effects that may result from antipsychotic tx.
- Urinary retention.
- Dry mouth.
- Sexual dysfunction.
Should antipsychotic tx be stopped abruptly under normal circumstances? Why or why not?
No - will lead to withdrawal symptoms d/t physical dependence.
When is it okay to stop antipsychotic meds abruptly?
If s&s of neuroleptic malignant syndrome are noted.
List the s&s of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (4).
- Hyperthermia.
- Unstable BP.
- Diaphoresis.
- Incontinence.