Exam 2 Neurologic Conditions Flashcards
Multiple sclerosis
Myelin destruction/scarring in central nerves. Axonal damage.
Genetically predisposed triggered by virus/bacteria.
Guillain Barre Syndrome
Demyelination of peripheral nerves.
Exposure to virus/bacterial (resp infection) which produces antibodies that also attack peripheral nerves.
Myasthenia Gravis
Autoantibodies block skeletal muscle receptors so ACh cannot bind -> no muscle contraction.
Parkinson’s Disease
Reduced levels of dopamine
(Substantia nigra = dopamine maker).
Dopamine cannot attach to ACh -> muscle tremor, rigidity.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Lou Gerig’s disease.
Loss of upper and lower motor neurons -> atrophy of voluntary muscles, ex: resp muscles.
Treatment: GBS
plasmapheresis (clean blood circulation for antibodies)
IVIG
Treatment: MS
corticoid steroids (methylprednisolene, prednisone) immune suppressants
Treatment: MG
anticholinerase drugs corticoid steroids immune suppressant plasmapheresis IVIG thymectomy
Treatment: ALS
-
Treatment: PD
Levodopa/carbidopa
deep brain stimulation (implant 2 electrodes in head, pacemakers on chest)
Diagnostic: GBS
lumbar puncture
EMG (electromyography-test nerve conduction)
Diagnostic: MS
MRI (for the plaque)
Diagnostic: MG
EMG
Tensilon test (give drug)
serum acetylcholine receptor antibodies
Diagnostic: ALS
-
Diagnositc: PD
no definitive tests drug challenge (give dopamine)
define: paresthesia
tingling
define: autonomic dysfunction
Autonomic dysreflexia indicates over-activity of the autonomic nervous system – the part of the system that controls things you don’t have to think about, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
(Stimulus below the injury level sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord; they travel upward until blocked at the level of injury. Since these impulses cannot reach the brain, the body doesn’t respond as it would normally. A reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system. This results in a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in blood pressure. Nerve receptors in the heart and blood vessels detect this rise in blood pressure and send a message to the brain. The brain then sends a message to the heart, causing the heartbeat to slow down and the blood vessels above the level of injury to dilate. However, since the brain is not able to send messages below the level of injury, blood pressure cannot be regulated. The body is confused and can’t sort out the situation.)
define: ptosis
drooping of eyelid
define: diplopia
double vision
define: dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
define: dysarthria
difficulty articulation
define: bradykinesia
slowness of movement
define: cog wheel
rigidity occurs when there is also a tremor and is characterized by a “stop and go” or jerking effect during a range of motion maneuver
define: rigidity
stiffness; decreased ability to move