Endocrine system & disorders Flashcards
Functions of the hypothalamus
HEAL: Homeostatic Endocrine Autonomic control Limbic
Suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus
“master clock” for circadian rhythms; receives input from retinal ganglion cells conveying info about day-night cycles
Ventral lateral preoptic area of the hypothalamus
Releases GABA that inhibits histaminergic neurons in tuberomamillary nucleus for nonREM sleep
Lateral hypothalamic area
Important in increasing appetite; lesions cause a decrease in body weight
Medial hypothalamus
Important in inhibiting appetite; lesions can cause obesity
Anterior hypothalamus
Thurst; detects increased body temp & activates mechanisms of heat dissipation; lesions can cause hyperthermia
Posterior hypothalamus
Functions to conserve heat
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroid hormones important for maintaining BP, controlling electrolyte balance, & promoting glucose mobilization into blood stream
Cushing’s disease
Associated with increased adrenocortical secretion of cortisol
Can see memory loss, emotional lability, depression, somatic delusions
Addison’s disease is caused by
Decreased cortisol
Growth hormone abnormalities can cause
Dwarfism or gigantism in children, acromegaly in adults
Thyroid gland hormones affect what 3 fundamental processes?
cellular differentiation, growth, metabolism
Cortex of the adrenal glands
Secretes corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory, suppresses immune system, known to raise BP
Medulla of the adrenal glands
Secretes epinephrine & other similar hormones, responds to stressors
What gland secretes melatonin?
Pineal gland
Type I diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
Pts develop little or no insulin
Diagnosed < age 30
Type II diabetes (NIDDM)
Pancreas continues to manufacture insulin, sometimes at higher levels, but body develops resistance to its effects, resulting in insulin deficiency
Other causes of diabetes include
High level of corticosteroids, pregnancy, drugs, poisons that interfere w/ production/effects of insulin
Medial symptoms of diabetes
Polyuria & polydipsia, polyphagia (loss of calories through urination cause weight loss, body needs to compensate), blurred vision, drowsiness, nausea, decreased endurance, diabetic ketoacidosis
End stage renal disease
Condition involving irreversible failure of excretory & regulatory functions of the kidneys
Stages of renal disease
Diminished renal reserve - measurable loss of renal function is noted; homeostasis is preserved at the expense of some hormonal adaptation
Renal insufficiency - slight retention of nitrogenous compounds
Uremia - accumulation in blood of constituents normally eliminated in urine that produces a severe toxic condition
Effects of uremia on cognition
Attention, psychomotor speed, immediate recall, mental flexibility
Most common causes of renal failure
DM, HTN, chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney disease
Early symptoms of renal failure
Fatigue, drowsiness, apathy, lethargy, social withdrawal, personality changes, decreased concentration, diminished attention span
Progressed neuropsychological symptoms of end stage renal disease
Confusion, poor concentration, decreased mental alertness, fatigability, intellectual impairment, impaired memory, sensory perception deficits, diminished perceptual-motor coordination
Neurocognitive effects of hyperthyroidism
Slower reaction time, impaired motor tasks (likely due to fatigue), mild deficits in attention, memory, complex problem solving
Affective features of hyperthyroidism
Emotional instability/lability, general hyperactivity, irritability, easy fatigability, heat intolerance, feelings of apprehension, restlessness, inability to concentrate
Cognitive effects of hypothyroidism
Sluggish, lethargic, concentration & memory problems, effects on motor speed, visuomotor processing, visuospatial & visuoconstructional deficits
Affective features of hypothyroidism
Symptoms of depression, emotional lability, mental sluggishness, indifference, self-accusatory ruminations, suspiciousness
Pituitary apoplexy
Results from spontaneous hemorrhage from pituitary tumors; sudden HA, meningeal signs, unilateral or bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome, visual loss, hypotension, depressed LOC
Pituitary adenoma
Slow-growing histologically benign tumor arising from cells in the anterior pituitary
