Chronic Disorders of Neurologic Function Flashcards
possible causes of seizures
electrolyte disturbances
lesions or tumors
infection
hypoxia
acidosis
acute alcohol withdrawal
idiopathic = cause unknown
petit mal seizure
nonmotor
absence seizure
grand mal seizure
motor
“tonic-clonic”
simple partial seizure
no impairment of consciousness
may experience strange tastes, smells, sensations
complex partial seizure
impaired awareness
epileptic VS non-epileptic seizure
in an epileptic seizure, the primary problem is in the brain
- trauma
- stroke
- infection
- tumor
- congenital
in a non-epileptic seizure the cause is more systemic
- hypoglycemia
- alcohol withdrawal
- electrolyte imbalance
cognitive changes in dementia
memory
personalty changes
behavior
judgement
anxiety and depression
psychosis
inability to complete ADLs
what percent of dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s?
50 - 60%
what is the structural change present in Alzheimer’s?
abnormally cut and folded proteins in the brain
what percent of dementia cases are vascular?
15 - 20%
what causes vascular dementia?
multiple infarctions in the brain
how are plaques formed in the brain?
- normal protein found in cell membrane is amyloid precursor protein
- beta-amyloid is produced by incorrectly cut APP
- beta amyloid clumps into plaques
bradykinesia
slow movement present in Parkinson’s
intention tremor
no tremor at rest, tremor appears when performing movement
acquired Parkinson’s
rapid onset
caused by infection, drug toxicity, or trauma
idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
gradual onset
genetic
what is the structural change in the brain with Parkinson’s?
degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra
describe basic neurotransmitter changes in Parkinson’s
high Acetylcholine and low Dopamine
when do Parkinson’s symptoms appear
after 75-80% of dopamine neurons in SN have died
possible etiology of cerebral palsy
no specific etiology identified in most cases
possible causes:
damage during fetal development or birth
hypoxia or head trauma at birth
prenatal infection
spastic cerebral palsy
most common
rigidity/hyperreflexia
hemiplegia/paraplegia/quadriplegia
hydrocephalus
elevated ICP due to obstructed flow of CSF
elevated ventricles push on brain, cause ischemia and necrosis
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Second Most Common
Slow, Jerky, Uncoordinated Purposeful Movements
Ataxic cerebral palsy
rare
gait disturbance
neurological complications of cerebral palsy
Seizures
Intellectual Impairment
Visual Problems
Hearing Problems
normal-pressure hydrocephalus
onset late in life
gait instability
urinary incontinence
dementia
what other condition is hydrocephalus often associated with?
Neural Tube Defects
ataxia
disturbances in gait and balance
what is the hallmark of cerebellar disorders?
ataxia - gait and balance disturbances
vertigo
uncoordinated movement
risk factors for multiple sclerosis
female - 2/3 predominance
associated with northern latitude
possibly environmental triggers
multiple sclerosis
Autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system
clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis
optic and oculo-motor nerves commonly affected
diplopia and lack of coordination
spina bifida
failure of the neural tube to close
spina bifida occulta
no visible anomaly
spina bifida cystica
protrusion of sac-like structure from the spine
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Degeneration of Motor Neurons in the Lateral Columns (cortico-spinal tract) of the Spinal Cord
clinical manifestations of ALS
Weakness
Atrophy
Cramps
Twitching
Hyper-Reflexia in a weak, atrophic extremity
Muscles of swallowing/breathing affected
factors associated with spinal cord injury
male gender
more common in summer months
spinal shock
Transient Loss of Function Below the Level of Injury
Flaccid Paralysis
Loss of Reflexes
Loss of Pain Sensation
Loss of Bowel/Bladder Control
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Acute Demyelination of the Peripheral Nervous System
NOT chronic like ALS
what triggers Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
infectious agents - C. jejuni
paralysis pattern of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
ascending - starts at feet
non-traumatic paralysis
can be more problematic if it reaches the diaphragm
bell palsy
injury or compression of facial nerve
infection with pathogen that affects nerves
