Cerebral inflammation Flashcards
what s meningitis
inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection
what is encephalitis
inflammation of the brain caused by infection or autoimmune mechanisms
what is cerebral vasculitis
inflammation of the brain caused by infection or autoimmune mechanisms
what is the Blood brain barrier
and how was it proved
barrier around brain –> discovered by showing that dyes didn’t cross into the brain but accumulated in tissues
what is the innervation of a nerve like in the brain
good no neuron is more than 100um away from a capillary
what is the BBB made of and what is special about this structure
BBB capillaries have extensive tight junctions at the endothelial cell-cell contacts, massively reducing solute and fluid leak across the capillary wall
BBB capillaries have extensive tight junctions at the endothelial cell-cell contacts, massively reducing solute and fluid leak across the capillary wall
why do capillaries in the BBB have extensive tight junctions
BBB capillaries have extensive tight junctions at the endothelial cell-cell contacts, massively reducing solute and fluid leak across the capillary wall
what is the BBB function
BBB capillaries have extensive tight junctions at the endothelial cell-cell contacts, massively reducing solute and fluid leak across the capillary wall
how can the BBB be distrupted
Collagenous disruption endothelial layer disruption
Endothelial layer disruption results in fibrinogen leakage due to collagenous disruption in the extracellular matrix.
Fibrinogen into the parenchyma is detected by astrocytes → proliferation and hypertrophy of astrocytes –(astrogliosis)–> astrocytes move towards fibrinogen causing endo feet change → glial scars that isolate the area
symptoms of encephalitis
Initially symptoms are flu-like with pyrexia (high body temperature) and headache
Subsequently, within hours, days or weeks: confusion or disorientation seizures or fits changes in personality and behaviour difficulty speaking weakness or loss of movement loss of consciousness
Causes of encephalitis
In most cases, encephalitis is caused by viral infection, the commonest of which are: Herpes Simplex Measles Varicella (chickenpox) Rubella (German measles)
Other causes include: Mosquito, tick and other insect bites Bacterial and fungal infections Trauma Autoimmune
Treatments of encephalitis
Treatment depends onthe underlyingcause, but may include: Antivirals e.g. acyclovir Steroids Antibiotics/antifungals Analgesics Anti-convulsants Ventilation
what is MS
autoimmune demyelinating disease of CNS ( relapses due to inflammatory activity + progression linked to neurodegeneration)
what is the cellar pathology of MS
Inflammation
Demyelination
Axonal loss
Neurodegeneration
what are the symptoms of MS
Symptoms vary because the amount and location of damage to the nervous system is different in each person with MS
- inflammation of brain ( perivascular cell infiltration)
