cerebral inflammation Flashcards
what is meningitis
inflammation of meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection
presents as milky white exudate
what is encephalitis
inflammation of brain caused by infection/ autoimmune mechanisms
what is cerebral vasculitis
inflammation of blood vessel wall aka angiitis
what is inflammation of spinal cord called
myelitis
what is blood brain barrier
brain is protected from circulating fluids
helped by dense vascularisation of cns
what forms the blood brain barrier
bbb capillaries have extensive tight junctions at endothelial cell - cell contacts - this massively reduced solutes and fluid leak across wall
use specific transporters to transport substances in and out of cns
astrocytes make up outer part of bbb
how is bbb disrupted following trauma
endothelial layer damaged blood leaks out reaction to fibrinogen astrocytes round up and react to damage bbb is compromised build up of collagen and fibrillar material
what are symptoms of encephalitis
flu like symptoms headache subsequently: confusion/disorientation seizures/fits changes in personality/behaviour difficulty speaking weakness/loss of movement loss of consciousness
what are causes of encephalaitis
most caused by viral: herpes simplex measles varicella rubella or mosquitoes,ticks and other insects bacterial or fungal infections trauma autoimmune
what are the treatments for encephalitis
dependant on cause antiviral e.g acyclovir steroids antibiotics/fungals analgesics anticonvulsants ventilation
what is cellular pathology of multiple sclerosis
autoimmune disease against myelin sheath in cns:
inflammation demyelination axonal loss neurodegeneration = relapsing remitting disease
investigations for ms
mri
what is meningitis
irritation, inflammation and swelling of meninges
6th most common infectious killer
affects more than 5 mill ppl worldwide
more common in neonates
what are the causes of meningitis
bacterial - meningococcal - most common pneumococcal haem influenza b streptococcal other causes: viral - rare but life threatening fungal
