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PSYC3410 > B. Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity Part 2 > Flashcards

B. Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity Part 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Name 5 Neuropsychological diseases. briefly describe each one.

A
  1. epilepsy - the chronic occurrence of seizures of endogenous origin
  2. Alzheimer’s - memory loss
  3. huntingtins - dementia + involuntary movement
  4. Parkinson’s - inability to initiate movement
  5. multiple sclerosis (MS) - immune cells/antibodies attack myeline
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2
Q

What are the 3 causes of epilepsy?

A
  1. brain damage
  2. genes = up to 30 known genes associated with epilepsy
  3. faulty inhibitory synapses = GABA not working to reguate synaptic activity
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3
Q

oAn EEG (electrogencephalogram) one of the main ways to diagnose wheither someone is having a seizure or not, however, this peice of tech also has its downfalls. Describe the advatages and disadvantages of using EEG for epilespy diagnosis.

A

Advatages = it is an non-invasive way to measure wheither someone is experienceing a seizure or not.
Disadvatages = While it is very good with temporal detection (determining if a seizure is occuring) it is not so good at spactial resolution (finding the origin site of the seizure)

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4
Q

EEG is a very good way to detect wheither a seizure is occuring but not the site of location. Is there another technique that is better at detecting location?

A

yes - subdural electrodes are electrodes placed under the dura of the meningies and are better at spacial resoluiton

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5
Q

Describe epileptic foci. Which technique used to detect seizures would be better at finding this?

A

a) the Epileptic foci = the seizure focus which is the site of origin.
b) using subdural electrodes would be the method of finding the epileptic foci

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6
Q

Describe the 2 types of behavioural changes that are associated with epilepsy

A
  1. subtle = psychological changes such as changes in mood, or thoughts
  2. convulsions = physcial seizures involving clonus (tremors) or tonus (rigidity), loss of balance, or conciousness
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7
Q

Draw a flowchart of the types of siezures

A
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8
Q

Describe the 2 types of seizures.

A
  1. focus = Seizure only effects a certain region of the brain
  2. generalized = seizures spread across the whole brain
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9
Q

T or F - a seizure that effects one side of the brain is considered a focal seizure

A

T - it is only generalized if it goes across the corpus colosum

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10
Q

Name one region of the brain that if the epileptic foci is likely to result in a generalized seizure. Why?

A

the thalamus due to it being highly interconnected with the rest of the brain

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11
Q

Which type of focal seizure is most associated with a disruption of consiousness?

A

a complex focal seizure is more likely to result in a complete loss of consioussness. While a simple focal seizures is unlikley to be associated with any disruption of consciousness

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12
Q

Describe the 2 types of focus Seizures.

A
  1. Simple = involves symptoms that are simple in nature such as a ringing in the ear or a sudden twitch
  2. Complex = involves symptomes that are more complex in nature such as hearing a whole song in ones head or exhibiting OCD like behaviours.
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13
Q

T or F - While simple focal seizures can be both sensory or motor in nature complex focal siezures can only be motor in nature.

A

F - both simple and complex focal seizures can exhibit either/or sensory or motor changes.

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14
Q

It is stated that Simple focal seizures can be sensory and/or motor in nature. What dictates the type of nature?

A

the Type of nature that is exhibited is dep on the locaiton of the epileptic foci.

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15
Q

Match the following terms with the terms listed below; Tonic-clonic seizures, Complex, Simple, Absence seizures
a) Jacksonian Seizures
b) temporal lobe epilespsy
c) grand mal
d) petit mal

A

a) simple
b) complex
c) tonic-clonic seizures
d) absence seizures

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16
Q

T or F - Complex focal seizures are often restricted to the temporal lobe with little to no spread

A

T

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17
Q

Tonic-clonic seizures are often associated with rigidity and tremors as symptoms. Why is it referred to as tonic-clonic seizures?

A

tonic = rigidity
clonic = tremors

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18
Q

Aside from rigidity and tremors what also can someone with tonic-clonic seizures experience?

A

hypoxia = a condition in which the brain is not getting enough oxygen

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19
Q

Describe the two types of Generalized seizures

A
  1. tonic-clonic Seizures = convulsive seizures that involve large uncontrolled movements
  2. absence seizures = disruption of consciousness with cessation of ongoing behavior (behaviour prior to seizures has stopped)
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20
Q

T or F - While tonic-clonic seizures can result in loss of consciousness due to hypoxia ppl who experience absence seizures are conscious they just aren’t able to move

A

F - both tonic-clonic and absence seizures result in Loss of consciousness as it is the exorbitant activity that causes it not hypoxia

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21
Q

Absence seizures are known for having a unique EEG reading. What is this reading and what makes it unique?

A

In patients with absence seizures, the EEG shows identical spikes in both hemispheres of the brain. this is unique as in other types of seizures such as tonic-clonic seizures the spikes shown are not.

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22
Q

Describe an Aura

A

a peculiar subjective experience that can predict the onset of a seizure

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23
Q

T or F - Auras can be used to not only predict the onset of a seizure but also predict the epileptic foci

A

T - dep on what the aura presents doctors can use that info to find out which brain region may be the epileptic foci

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24
Q

Name 4 types of treatments that can be used to DEC the frequency and severity of seizures. Which one would be the last resort if non of the other ones could work?

A
  1. anticonvulsant medication
  2. stim the vagus nerve
  3. transcranial magnetic stim
  4. ketogenic diet
  5. surgery (last option)
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25
Q

One of the ways to DEC the severity of seizures is the ketogenic diet (low carb high fat) how is this possible?

A

seizures are essentially overactive nerves and neurons get their nutrient from glucose (carbs) due to it being easy to metabolize. Therefore, if you change the source of NRG from carbs (aldehyde) to fats (ketones) it will take the body longer to metabolize it into a usable source of NRG. Resulting in a DEC in seizure severity

26
Q

Describe kindling and how it is used with animal models to help treat epilepsy

A

Kindling is the act of periodically stimulating a rat at a low voltage. This stim over time mimics convulsions which eventually can become a full-blown seizure. Seeing exactly how to trigger a seizure can help researchers pinpoint what kinds of drugs/manipulation can slow down or even stop seizures

27
Q

What is the downside to kindling?

A

it technically doesn’t follow the definition of what epilepsy is as it is not endogenous (caused by external stim) and is not spontaneous.

28
Q

What kinds of ppl are mostly affected by Parklinson’s disease?

A

males and it INC with age

29
Q

What are the 2 main symptoms of Parkinson’s?

A
  1. tremor at rest = having tremors during inactivity
  2. having difficulty with initiation movement
30
Q

Parkinson’s and Huntingtins’s disorders are known as what kinds of disorders?

A

progressive movement disorders

31
Q

T or F - The most common cause of Parkinson’s is brain infections

A

F - there is no single cause for Parkinson’s disease however it may be caused by faulty DNA, brain infection, strokes, tumors, TBIs, or even neurotoxins

32
Q

T or F - while Parkinson’s disease does have some cognitive symptoms the most important are the motor symptoms

A

F - due to cognitive symptoms occurring way before the motor symptoms they can act as a predictor for Parkinson’s. Also, some experience severe cognitive deficits that interrupt normal day-to-day.

33
Q

Describe the 3 typical cases for the cause of Parkinson’s wrt genetics. Which case is most common? Least common?

A
  1. idiopathic = no specific known cause (most)
  2. familial = inherited from a family mem that had it
  3. mutation found (least)
34
Q

What are the 3 mutations that may be associated with Parkinson’s

A
  1. SNCA = alpha-synuclein
  2. PRKN = parkin
  3. LRRK2/dardarin = leucine-rich repeat kinase 2
35
Q

What happens in the brain during Parkinson’?

A

the Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra degrade. Resulting in no DA (dopamine) release towards the striatum in the basil ganglia

36
Q

What pathway is associated with Parkinson’s Disease?

A

the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway

37
Q

What is the significance of releasing DA in the striatum of the basal ganglia?

A

the basal ganglia use DA to regulate movement so if it doesn’t receive its movement will not be regulated properly.

38
Q

Is the following image of a substantia nigra healthy or diseased? Which disease is associated with the substantia nigra?

A

healthy + Parkingson’

39
Q

Is the following image of a substantia nigra healthy or diseased? Which disease is associated with the substantia nigra?

A

Diseased w/ Parkinson’s

40
Q

What are Lewy Bodies?

A

an accumulation of proteins that replace where dopaminergic neurons should be within the substantial nigra

41
Q

T or F - there is no definitive way to treat or slow down the progress of Parkinson’s

A

T - there are only some drugs to alleviate some of the symptoms

42
Q

Due to Parkinson’s being a disease that involves the lack of dopamine release researchers have concluded that all they need to do is INC DA levels. They are able to do this by injecting L-DOPA which causes the brain to produce DA. Why do they use L-DOPA instead of DA itself?

A

This is because L-DOPA can get passed the BBB but DA cannot so this is the only artificial way to get the brain to produce more DA

43
Q

When L-DOPA is injected into patients with Parkinson’s the symptoms of movement rigidity are alleviated immediately. So why is this not considered a cure or at least a treatment that slows down the progression of Parkinson’?

A

This is because that alleviation is only temporary and over time becomes ineffective. Furthermore, it has heavy side effects.

44
Q

Aside from L-DOPA what is another method that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s?

A
  1. DA agonists may be able to encourage the dopaminergic neurons to release more DA which can alleviate the symptoms temporarily
  2. deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus could also encourage the release of DA w/in the brain
45
Q

The subthalamic nucleus is a treatment used to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The term ‘sub thalamic’ means under thalamus which is the part that is stim. Since Parkinson’s seems to involve the basal ganglia and not the thalamus why would stim this brain region alleviate the symptoms?

A

the thalamus is very interconnected to the basal ganglia and since seizures are a result of overstim. Disrupting the communication b/w the thalamus and the basal ganglia will DEC that hyperactivity

46
Q

What is MPTP and how does it help researchers find treatment for Parkinson’?

A

MPTP = synthetic heroin that causes cell loss in substantial nigra and reduces DA in the striatum (basically it mimics what happens in Parkinson’s patients)
It is given to primate (non-human) models in which researchers test different types of treatments on

47
Q

Describe the drug that was developed as a result of the MPTP model?

A

Deprenyl = enhances the activity of already-released DA (INC quality due to DEC quantity)

48
Q

What causes Huntington’s disease and what are the two main symptoms of patients with this disease?

A

a) the huntingtin gene
b) Chorea (involuntary movement) + sever dementia

49
Q

Is there a cure for Huntington’s disease?

A

NO

50
Q

Most genetic diseases that affect the brain are recessive gene mutations over dominant, however, huntingtin’s is the exception to this rule. Why?

A

This is b/c unlike other diseases of this nature huntington’s doesn’t develop until the age of 40. This means this person is able to reproduce way before the onset of this disease shows itself.

51
Q

What are the two main brain regions that are degraded as a result of Huntington’s? What is the result of this degradation

A
  1. the striatum = motor deficits
  2. cortices = cognitive deficits
52
Q

Describe what happens genetically during Huntingtins’s. How does this genetic condition dictate the age of onset?

A

it is from a repeat of CAGs in the genome which results in a string of Glns. The number of Glns within this string dictates the age of onset. More Glns = earlier onset.

53
Q

What are the three things that cause the lack of myelin in a patient w/ MS (Multiple Sclerosis)?

A
  1. the immune sys attacks the already existing myelin sheaths
  2. Degradation of the neurons
  3. lack of remyelination due to the failed development of oligodendrocytes
54
Q

Which of the following images is the brain of a patient with huntington’s? How do you know?

A

The one on the right due t the degeneration in the striatum (middle) and the cortices (outside)

55
Q

Describe the main symptom of MS?

A

Ataxia = loss of motor coordination

56
Q

T or F - MS is a progressive motor disorder that continues to get worse and worse over time with no alleviation of symptoms

A

F - there are periods of remission but they are temporary and often make the MS is worse than it was prior

57
Q

What types of ppl are more susceptible to MS?

A

caucasian females in colder climates + INC with age

58
Q

Some researchers think that exposure to the sun (vitamin D) may have a major role to play the development of MS. Why might this be?

A

Because ppl in colder climates tend to be susceptible to MS, and colder climates tend to have less sun.

59
Q

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disease. What are the 3 stages of this disease? Describe each

A
  1. pre-clinical phase = pathological changes are occurring in the brain but no symptoms are presenting themselves
  2. prodromal phase = the pathological changes have caused some mild symptoms
  3. Dementia stage = severe decline of memory and attention.
60
Q

T or F - Alzheimer’s can only definitely be diagnosed after the prodromal stage when symptoms are present.

A

F - Alzhiemer’s can really only be definitively diagnosed through an autopsy of the patient who died of Alzheimer’s

61
Q

Fill in the blanks; Alzheimer’s is a _________ disease that always leads to __________.

A

progressive, death

PSYC3410 (22 decks)

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