Degenerative Brain Disease

Question 1

what are the three degenerative diseases

Answer 1

multiple sclerosis
motor neuron disease
parkinson’s disease

Question 2

what is multiple sclerosis

Answer 2

changes to myelin sheath to nerve axons connecting different parts of the brain - due to an inflammatory change

Question 3

what are features of multiple sclerosis on MRIs

Answer 3

patchy distribution

Question 4

what causes multiple sclerosis

Answer 4

genetic predisposition
unclear if it is infective or environmental

Question 5

what are symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Answer 5

muscle weakness
visual disturbance
paraesthesia
autonomic dysfunction
dysarthria
pain
balance/ hearing loss

Question 6

what are signs of multiple sclerosis

Answer 6

muscle weakness
spasticity
altered reflexes
tremor
optic atrophy
loss of touch

Question 7

how is multiple sclerosis investigated

Answer 7

MRI
CSF analysis

Question 8

what are the two types of MS

Answer 8

relapsing and remitting type - patient has flare ups
primary progressive type - slow steady progressive deterioration

Question 9

what is symptomatic treatment of MS

Answer 9

antibiotics, antispasmodics, analgesia, steroids, physiotherapy and OT

Question 10

what drugs are available that slow down relapsing and remitting type MS

Answer 10

clardribine
siponomod
ocrelizumab

Question 11

what treatment can be used for MS to reboot immune system

Answer 11

stem cell treatment

Question 12

what aspects of MS can affect dental treatment

Answer 12

orofacial motor and sensory disturbance
enhanced trigeminal neuralgia risk

Question 13

what is motor neuron disease

Answer 13

degeneration of motor nerves in anterior horns of corticospinal tracts in spinal cords

Question 14

what are the features of MND

Answer 14

progressive loss of motor function in limbs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, motor cranial nerves 7-12

Question 15

what is the most likely causes of death in MND

Answer 15

ventilation failure
aspiration pneumonia

Question 16

what is the treatment for MND

Answer 16

no effective treatment
physiotherapy and OT
reduce aspiration

Question 17

what are the dental aspects of MND

Answer 17

oral hygiene affected
muscle weakness in head and neck
drooling and swallowing difficulties

Question 18

what medications can be used to dry up saliva

Answer 18

antichollinergics and botox into salivary glands

Question 19

what is parkinson’s disease

Answer 19

lack of dopamine in substancia nigra of the brain

Question 20

what causes parkinsons

Answer 20

repeated head trauma
lack of dopamine leads to difficulty in passing messages from cortex to cerebellum and brainstem

Question 21

what are signs of parkinsons

Answer 21

bradykinesia
rigidity
tremor

Question 22

what is bradkykinesia

Answer 22

slow movement and slow initiation of movement

Question 23

what are motor implications of parkinsons

Answer 23

impaired gait and falls
impaired use of upper limbs
mask-like face
swallowing problems

Question 24

what is the treatment for parkinsons

Answer 24

dopamine - levodopa
dopamine analogues (tablets, injections and infusion)

Question 25

what can be a nasty side effect of drugs to treat parkinsons

Answer 25

compulsions

Question 26

what surgery is available for parkinsons

Answer 26

stereotactic surgery

Question 27

what dental affects are present in parkinsons

Answer 27

dry mouth - antichollinergics
drug interactions