Diseases Of NMJ Flashcards
What is the motor unit?
• Alpha motor neuron plus all of the extrafusal fibers that it innervates
What are the neurogenic motor unit diseases?
– Diseases of the peripheral nerve – Lesions of: •Cell body •Axon •Neuromuscular junction •Schwann Cells
What are myogenic NMJ diseases?
– Diseases of the muscle (myopathies)
What NMJ diseasesimpact the soma?
Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
Poliomyelitis
What diseases effect Schwann cells?
Guillain-Barre
Diphtheria
What are the diseases affecting the nerve endings of the NMJ?
Botulism
Alpha-Latrotoxin
Beta-Bungarotoxin
Curare
What NMJ diseases impact the end plate?
Myasthenia gravis
nACHR defects
What NMJ diseases impact the synaptic cleft?
Myasthenias
What NMJ diseases impact the muscle fiber?
Myotonias
Muscular dystrophy
What are the etiology of nerve (soma and/or axon)?
Etiology – Toxins – Drugs – Trauma – Idiopathic – Pathogens
Soma
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
- Poliomyelitis
What are the manifestations of lesions of nerve (doma and/of axom)?
Manifestations:
– Muscle atrophy and weakness
– Hyporeflexia
– Fasciculations and fibrillations
What is polymyelitis?
Polio - polios “grey”
Myelitis - myelos “marrow” + -itis “inflammation.“
Infection causing inflammation of the gray matter in the spinal cord leading to paralysis.
What us the etiology of poliomyelitis?
Etiology
• Small RNA viruses of the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family.
• Transmission is via fecal-oral route.
What are the clinical features of the poliomyelitis?
- Paralytic poliomyelitis: Profound asymmetrical muscle weakness and signs of LMN lesion
- Extensive paralysis of the trunk may occur
• Mid-cervical involvement (C3-4-5) can paralyze diaphragm,
necessitating ventilation
What is the diagnosis of poliomyelitis?
Clinical Features Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of poliovirus CSF - Elevated WBC - Mildly elevated protein - Glucose is normal
What is the impact of Schwann cell lesions?
Lesions of Schwann Cells cause demyelination
- Conduction slowing or block
Schwann Cells
1. Guillain-Barre 2. Diphtheria
What is the etiology of Schwann cell lesions?
Etiology:
– Autoimmune attack
– Toxins
What is the alpha laatrotoxin?
Alpha-Latrotoxin
• Toxin in venom of the black widow spider that
causes massive release of ACh by affecting presynaptic exocytotic proteins