Clinical Neurophysiology Flashcards
What is clinical neurophysiology
medical specialty that studies the central and peripheral nervous systems through the recording of bioelectrical activity, whether spontaneous or stimulated.
What does an EMG investigate
To investigate problems of peripheral nerve and muscle
and
Investigate the function of the neuromuscular junction
What does nerve conduction studies ( + EMG) investigate
To investigate problems of peripheral nerve and muscle
What does EEG investigate in clinical neurophysiology
Electrical activity within the brain to investigate epilepsy and states of altered consciousness
What does evoked potential investigate in clinical neurophysiology
Visual and somatosensory, investigate problems in central pathways
In nerve conduction studies how do you examine if the nerve is functioning
By testing
Conduction velocity
and Amplitude
How does nerve conduction study work
During the test, the nerve is stimulated, usually with surface electrode patches attached to the skin
How do you test the velocity of conduction in nerve conduction studies
Measure distance and time between the onset of the two action potentials
how do test the amplitude in nerve conduction studies
Increase strength to they and stimulate more nerves
What is usually combined with nerve conduction studies
Electromyography
Define electromyography
Needle measures the AP at the top and the core, looking at the action potential from the whole motor unit
How do you measure sensory function separately to motor function in neurophysiology
Similar technique but stimulating the sensory nerve fibres in the fingers
What is the electrophysiology findings of a neuropathy in nerve conduction studies
Slowing of motor response where conduction block is located
small sensory response
What is the electrophysiology findings of a radiculopathy in nerve neurophysiology
Small but slowed motor response
Normal sensory response
How is sensory response normal in radiculopathy
If the signal is damaged at the nerve root the sensory signal remain intact as sensory cell body lives in dorsal root ganglion so patients sensory nerve can still be stimulated even though patient feels numbness
