CNS Disorders Flashcards
Mechanisms of pathogenesis in the CNS
- Altered gene expression
- Abnormal protein-protein interactions
- Other molecular mediators
All mechanisms result in region-specific neuronal/ synaptic dysfunction and cell death
Cerebral cortex
Involved in planning & execution of motor activity as well as conscious awareness
The most common neurological problems in this area are due to trauma, stroke, tumour or neurodegeneration
Basal ganglia
Involved in motor function and emotion
Dysfunction of the basal ganglia leads to involuntary movement (Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease)
Hypothalamus
Controls the homeostatic functions of the body
Thalamus
Relays sensory and motor signals
Limbic system
Unique to mammals, involved in self-preservation functions
Dysfunction of the limbic system leads to dementia, anxiety, affective disorders and psychosis
Cerebellum
Co-ordinates movement
Depression
An affective disorder that interferes with daily life and normal functioning
Causes = genetic, environmental (stress)
Symptoms = persistent negative emotions, difficulty concentrating, fatigue
Treatment = antidepressants, talking therapies
Schizophrenia
A loss of contact with reality, leading to psychotic episides
Causes = alcohol, tumours, dementia, neurodegenerative disorders
Symptoms = postive (delusions)/ negative (anhedonia)
Treatment = antipsychotic drugs
Tourette syndrome
A neurological disorder characterised by uncontrolled outbursts of speech/movement
Cause = unknown
Symptoms = repetitive involuntary movements and vocalisations
Treatment = none
Epilepsy
Abnormal neuronal signalling, leading to seizures
Causes = illness, brain trauma, neurotransmitter imbalance
Symptoms = convulsions, muscle spasms, loss of conciousness
Diagnosis = electroencephalogram
Treatment = antiepileptic drugs, surgery
Traumatic brain injury
Sudden trauma causing damage to the brain
Symptoms = loss of conciousness, headache, dizziness, memory problems, nausea, vomiting, confusion
Treatment = prevention of further injury, surgery
CNS tumours
Abnormal tissue growths (benign or malignant) which place pressure on the brain and impair function
Symptoms = headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting
Treatment = surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy
Spinal cord injury
Sudden traumatic blow to the spine causing fracture/dislocation of vertebrae
This can disrupt the neuronal signalling pathway
Can result in full recovery or paralysis
Complications = chronic pain, bladder dysfunction
Treatment = rehabilitation programmes
Hydrocephalus
Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, putting pressure on brain tissue
Causes = abnormal dilation of ventricles (due to a congenital defect or trauma)
Symptoms = headache, vomiting, lethargy, changes in personality
Metabolic disorders
Causes = nutritional deficiencies, metal toxins
Symptoms = direct CNS damage, secondary CNS pathology
Dementia
Significant impairment of intellectual functioning
Causes = medications, tumours, age
Symptoms = loss of ability to solve problems, language impairment, memory loss
Alzheimer’s Dementia
The most common form of dementia
Symptoms = progressive cognitive impairment
Causes = genetics, age
Treatment = none to slow progression, cholinesterase inhibitors
Pick’s disease
Frontotemporal dementia, very rare
Symptoms = changes in behaviours, language disturbance
Memory remains intact
Treatment = none
Multi-infarct dementia
Causes = multiple strokes leading to damaged brain tissue
Symptoms = confusion, short-term memory problems
Treatment = none
Parkinson’s disease
A motor system disorder
Causes = loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
Symptoms = tremor, rigidity
Treatment = L-dopa
Huntington’s disease
A motor system disorder
Cause = genetically programmed brain degeneration
Symptoms = uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, emotional disturbance
Treatment = pharmacology to control symptoms
Narcolepsy-cataplexy
Cause = loss of hypocretins/orexins and neurotransmission
Symptoms = excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, direct transition from wakefulness to REM sleep
Treatment = wake-promoting drugs
Cerebral aneurysm
Dilation/bulging of part of the wall of an artery in the brain
Symptoms =
- Unruptured; loss of feeling, vision problems
- Ruptured: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness
Treatment = restore respiration, reduce pressure in brain, surgery
Meningitis/encephalitis
Inflammatory disease of the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord
Cause = bacteria or viral infections
Symptoms = high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion
Treatment = antibiotics/ antivirals
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Degenerative fatal brain disorder
Cause = altered forms of the protein prion
Diagnosis = autopsy
Treatment = none
Kuru
A fatal brain disorder occurring in New Guinea
Cause = ritualistic cannibalism
Symptoms = unsteady gait, tremor, slurred speech, behavioural changes
Multiple sclerosis
Demyelinating condition
Cause = unknown
Symptoms = blurred vision, muscle weakness, speech impairment, tremor
Treatment = none
Aging
There is an age-related decline in cognitive functions caused by oxidative stress
Symptoms = memory loss
