Cerebral Inflammation

Question 1

Define meningitis, encephalitis, cerebral vasculitis and myelitis

Answer 1

Meningitis- Inflammation of meninges
Encephalitis- Inflammation of brain
Cerebral Vasculitis- Inflammation of blood vessel walls
Myelitis- Inflammation of spinal cord

Question 2

How does the BBB ensure the regulation of what enters into the brain?

Answer 2

Lots of tight junctions
Lots of transporters across membrane

Question 3

How does the BBB get disrupted?

Answer 3

there is a break In the BBB, causing vascular leakage of fibrinogen. Astrocytes react to this by undergoing astrogliosis which changes their end feet and builds up collagen
over time this collagen continues building up, which hardens these vessels making it harder to blood to pass through

Question 4

What are the symptoms of encephalitis?

Answer 4

confusion
disorientation
SEIZURES
changes in personality and behaviour
aphasia- inability to speak
loss of consciousness

Question 5

What are the causes and treatments of encephalitis?

Answer 5

Virus
Bacteria
Mosquitos

antivirals
antibiotics
steroids
anti-convulsants

Question 6

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 6

Fever
Headaches
nausea
double vision
photophobia
stiff neck
non-blanching rash

Question 7

What are the causes and treatments for meningitis?

Answer 7

meningococcal
pneumococcal
streptococcus

antibiotics
antivirals
BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS

Question 8

What diagnostic tests can be done for cerebral inflammations?

Answer 8

Lumbar puncture- Cloudy, odour and hypoglycaemic = increase WBC and pathogens
Blood culture- use broad spectrum in the meantime
Check intracranial pressure- needle inserted can decrease pressure

Question 9

What are the long term impacts of meningitis?

Answer 9

Disabilities
Memory loss
Poor concentration
Clumsiness
Deafness