Degenerative Disorders

Question 1

MS - is what

Answer 1

chronic, progressive, demyelinating disease of the CNS affecting mostly young adults

Question 2

MS - etiology

Answer 2

unknown - most likely viral, autoimmune

Question 3

MS - characteristics

Answer 3

demyelinating lesions (plaques) impair neural transmission, cause nerves to fatigue rapidly

Question 4

MS - categories - relapsing remitting

Answer 4

discrete attacks of neuro deficits with either full or parital recovery
85% of cases

Question 5

MS - categories - primary progressive

Answer 5

disease progression and deterioration in function from onset

pts may experience modest fluctuations in neuro distability but discrete attacks do not occur

Question 6

MS - categories - secondary progressive

Answer 6

initial RR followed by change to a progressive course with steady decline in function with or without continued attacks

Question 7

MS - categories - progressive relapsing

Answer 7

steady deterioration in disease from onset but with occasional acute attacks
intervals btw attacks are characterized by continuing disease progression

Question 8

PD - is what

Answer 8

chronic, progressive disease of CNS with degeneration of dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons and nigrostriatal paths

Question 9

PD - etiology

Answer 9

several

infectious/postencephalic, atherosclerosis, idiopathic, toxic, drug induced

Question 10

PD - path

Answer 10

deficiency of dopamine within the BG corpus striatum with degeneration of substantia nigra
Loss of inhibatory dopamine results in excessive excitatory output from cholinergic system of BG

Question 11

PD - characteristics

Answer 11

Rigidity, bradykinesia, resting tremor, impaired postural reflexes

Question 12

PD - stages

Answer 12

1 - minmal or absent disability, unilateral sx
2 - minimal bilateral or midline involvement, no balance involvement
3 - impaired balance, some restrictions in activity
4 - all sx present and severe, stands and walks only with assistance
5 - confinement to bed or wc

Question 13

Myasthenia gravis - is what

Answer 13

a neuromuscular junction disorder characterized by progressive muscular weakness and fatigueability on exertion

Question 14

Myasthenia gravis - etiology

Answer 14

autoimmune anti-body mediated attack on Ach receptors at NMJ

Question 15

Myasthenia gravis - characteristics

Answer 15

mm strength worse with continuing contraction, improved with rest

Question 16

Myasthenia gravis - types

Answer 16

4 of them
Ocular 
Mild generalized
Severe generalized
Crisis

Question 17

Myasthenia gravis - generalized MG often invovles

Answer 17

bulbar and proximal limb girdle mm

Question 18

Myasthenia gravis - crisis

Answer 18

resp failure - med emergency

Question 19

Myasthenia gravis - course

Answer 19

varies

can progress from mild to severe within 18 months