degenerative brain disease Flashcards
degenerative brain diseases
slowly progressive diseases which stop proper neurological function
speed varies, but decline inevitable
e.g.
- multiple sclerosis
- motor neurone disease
- parkinson’s disease
most common CNS disorder of young
multiple sclerosis
80:100000
multiple sclerosis
CNS lesions only
patchy distribution
progressive functional loss – variations
- Any part of body where neurological function needed - cognitive, motor, sensory, autonomic
women with 4th decade onset most severe
lesions in MS
DEMYLINATION OF AXONS
Changes in myelin sheath connecting different parts of brain
- Due to inflammatory change – red parts on MRISame pt years apart – see white patchy plaques stand out as abnormal and red areas happening, next scan red inflammatory changes are in different areas
typical of MS, areas affected change from time to time but permanent changes in CNS so permanent neurological deficit and loss of function
- Any part of body where neurological function needed - cognitive, motor, sensory, autonomic
aetiology of MS
- unknown
- infective, environmental, genetic
- susceptibility acquired during childhood
- ? altered host reaction to a infective agent
- background genetic/immune factors
- more common in identical twins
- have different levels of disease – so genetics only part of issue
- more common amongst immediate family members
- more common in identical twins
MS symptoms
- Muscle weakness
- numbess
- stiffness, spasms
- Visual disturbance
- blurred
- temporary blindness
- dark spots
- Paraesthesia
- Changes in sensation – loss of facial sensation - risk
- Autonomic dysfunction
- frequent urination
- incontinence
- constipation or diarrhea
- sexual and hormonal problems
- dizziness/ vertigo
- Dysarthria
- Issues in speech
- Pain
- Protracted pain with no contributing damage
- Balance/hearing loss
- fatigue
MS signs
- muscle weakness
- Spasticity
- upper motor neuron lesion, damage to the nerve is not from spinal cord to muscle but in cord itself
- Altered reflexes
- Tremor (intention)
- Optic Atrophy
- Light shone in eye – take a finite amount of time to each occipital lobe
- Inflammatory MS changes in optic nerve (common), conduction slowed delayed receiving signal/ in pupil constriction?
- Light shone in eye – take a finite amount of time to each occipital lobe
- Proprioceptive loss/ spatial awareness
- Loss of touch
impact of MS being degenerative on monitoring
- Get degenerative changes in brain which are permanent*
- Can measure them to see progression*
- e.g. optic nerve speed of conduction*
MS Investigations
- History & examination
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Can see plaques in brain and sites of previous damage
- CSF analysis
- reduced lymphocytes
- increased IgG protein
- Visual Evoked Potentials
- ALWAYS reduced after optic neuritis
symptoms
pt complaints
sigsn
clinician notes
MS outcome
2 types
relapsing and remitting type
primary progressive type
relapsing and remitting MS
acute exacerbations and periods of respite
Damage builds up with each episode
- Eventually disabled due to loss of function due to collective damage in CNS
Many will eventually develop progressive form (“secondary progressive”)
primary progressive MS
slow steady progressive deterioration no exacerbations and remission
Cumulative neurological damage
symptomatic management of MS at time of acute attack
antibiotics
antispasmodics
analgesia
steroids
syptomatic management of MS to maintain function
phsyiotherapy and occupational therapy