Clinical Neurophysiology Flashcards
What studies are undertaken in clinical neurophysiology?
Nerve conduction studies/ Electromyography (EMG)
EEG
Evoked potentials
What are nerve conduction studies used for?
Examine nerve function (conduction velocity and amplitude)
Where is ulnar neuropathy usually reported?
Most often at elbow, sometimes wrist
What is a sensory study?
Stimulation od sensory fibres in fingers, allows separate measurement of sensory and motor functions
What is investigated when looking for ulnar neuropathy?
Conduction block/ slowing due to demyelination
What is Myaesthenia Gravis?
Antibodies to post-synaptic ACh receptor decrease the effectiveness of released ACh
What are the cancel features of Myaesthnia Gravis?
Weakness Fatigue Normal sensation Diplopia Ptosis
How is Myaesthenia Travis detected?
Detect antibodies
Single fibre EMG
What is an EMG?
Looks at action potentials from whole motor units
How is single fibre EMG different?
Uses filter, sensitivity and timebase settings to isolate action potentials from individual muscle fibres within one motor unit
How is single fibre EMG useful?
Needle can be positioned to record from two fibres within same motor unit
In what conditions are EEGs used in diagnosis?
Epilepsy
Altered states of consciousness
Non-epileptic attacks
