Cerebral inflammation

Question 1

Define meningitis

Answer 1

-Inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection
-Usually subarachnoid

Question 2

Define encephalitis

Answer 2

-Inflammation of the brain caused by infection or autoimmune mechanisms

Question 3

Define cerebral vasculitis

Answer 3

-Inflammation of blood vessel walls (angitis)

Question 4

Define myelitis

Answer 4

-Inflammation of the spinal cord

Question 5

What are some of the symptoms of encephalitis?

Answer 5

-Initially flue like with pyrexia and headache

Question 6

What are the most common causes of encephalitis?

Answer 6

Viral infections
-Herpes simplex
-Measles
-Varicella
-Rubella

Question 7

What is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 7

An autoimmune condition causing demyelination of the CNS

Question 8

What is the progression of MS linked to?

Answer 8

Neuron degeneration

Question 8

What do we see at a cellular level in multiple sclerosis?

Answer 8

Perivascular Immune cell infiltration (CD3 T cells and CD20 B Cells) aka perivascular cuffing.

Question 9

Summarise the main 4 pathophysiological traits of MS.

Answer 9

-Inflammation
-Demyelination
-Axonal loss
-Neurodegeneration