413 Final Exam Flashcards
Epilepsy
Def: a neurological condition in which an individual experiences recurring seizures
Causes
Idiopathic - no known cause
Symptomatic - other conditions
Prenatal injury, head trauma
Types
Generalized - whole brain at once
Partial - 1 area of brain, spreads
Hansen’s disease (Leprosy)
Def: a long-lasting, chronic infection; primarily affects skin and upper airways
Caused by: bacteria called Mycobacterium Leprae; invades the NS
Spreads via coughing/sneezing and secretions/nasal droplets being inhaled
Signs & symptoms: pale or reddish skin patches with diminished sensation, numbness in isolated area of body, growths on skin
Rasmussen encephalitis
Def: a rare inflammatory brain disease characterized by severe intractable epilepsy and unilateral progressive motor deficit associated with contralateral hemispheric atrophy; chronic inflammatory neurological disease
Caused by: unknown
Signs & symptoms:
Inflammation of brain
Eye twitching
Teeth grinding
Asthma
Def: an obstructive pulmonary disorder with exacerbations; chronic
Characterized by: SOB, coughing, tightness in chest, wheezing
Cause: unknown
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
Def: mutations in LMNA or ZmPSTE24 gene (deletion of last 50 amino acids
Signs & symptoms:
Low body weight
Joint contractures
Scleroderma
Dementia
Def and hallmark symptom
Def: condition characterized by multiple cognitive deficits, with the main deficit impairment of memory
Hallmark: serious and persistent memory loss
Delirium
Disturbed consciousness
Change in cognition
Quick onset with symptoms fluctuating throughout course of a day
Disturbance causes by medical condition or intoxication/withdrawal
Types of dementia
Alzheimer’s
Vascular dementia
Frontotemporal
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Reversible
Alzheimer’s disease
Etiology: diagnosis made after ruling out alternate etiologies; MRI used to detect changes of AD
What are neurofibrillary tangles made up of?
The contaminated protein tau
Tau: a connection for structure transporting nutrients thru/out cell body of neurons
Two types of AD
Late onset
After age 65
E gene; increased susceptibility
Chromosome 19
Early onset
Before age 65
3 genes identified
Chromosomes 21, 14, 1
Risk factors of AD
Down Syndrome
Cardiovascular disease
Environmental conditions in early brain development
Potential causes of AD
Free radicals
Inflammation
Trace elements
Role of the immune system
Viral connection
Risk factors for AD (first 2 are most important)
Advanced age
Genetic predisposition
History of depression
Late maternal age
Alcohol abuse
Type II diabetes
Variables that may reduce the risk of developing AD
Use of statins
Physical activity
Regular consumption of fish
Use of NSAIDS
Estrogen replacement therapy (for post menopausal women)
