Final Exam Prep Flashcards
What are the two major organs in the vestibular system?
-Vestibule
-Semi-circular canals
What makes up the vestibule?
-Saccule
-Utricle
What makes up the semi-circular canals?
-Anterior canal
-Posterior canal
-Horizontal canal
What movements does the vestibule detect?
-Linear acceleration (forward or side to side)
-Head displacement to gravity (jumping up and down, flexion, extension, lateral side bending)
What movements does the semi-circular canals detect?
-Rotational head movements
-Acceleration of head rotation
What nerve supplies the vestibular system?
-CN VIII (vestibulocochlear)
-Vestibular branch supplies vestibular system
-Cochlear branch stimulates the cochlea
What are the major functions of the vestibular system?
-Maintenance of balance and stable posture
-Postural reflexes that respond to unexpected perturbations
-A stabilizer, acting to counteract the effects of body movement, gravity, and other external forces
What does each semi-circular canal contain?
-Crista ampullaris/ampulla
-Cupula
What does each crista ampullaris contain?
-Cupula
-Supporting cells
-Hair cells
-Stereocilia
-Sensory nerve fibers
How does movement effect the cupula, hair cells, and sterocilia?
-The head rotates, and the cupula moves in the opposite direction of the head rotation (i.e. head rotates right, cupula moves left)
-Stereocilia get bent in the same direction the cupula moves to
-Stereocilia send excitatory signals to the sensory nerve fibers
What happens to sensory nerve fibers in each semicircular canals during head rotation? What is this phenomenon called?
-One side is excited
-The other side is inhibited
-i.e. head rotation to the left, left semi-circular canals are excited, and the right are inhibited
-Called the “push-pull” phenomenon
What is the constant spontaneous firing rate of the vestibular nerve on each side when the head is in a neutral position? What happens when that firing rate changes?
-90-100 spikes/sec
-Changes in that firing rate tells the brain what head movement has occured
What are the semi-circular canal (SCC) functional pairs?
-The right and left horizontal canals (HSCCs)
-The right anterior and left posterior SCC (RALP)
-The left anterior and right posterior (LARP)
-Functional pairs work in the “push-pull” fashion
What is the function of the otoliths?
-Provide information of body position with reference to the force of gravity and linear acceleration
-Are contained within sensory structures called maculae
What age do babies develop otoliths and maculae?
4 months
Where are maculae located?
In the utricle and saccule
What are otoliths? What is their function?
-Otoliths are crystals of calcium carbonate (ear stones)
-Their function is to respond to the changes in gravity and send sensory signals to the brain
What is the structure between the hair cells, stereocilia, and otoliths in the maculae?
-Stereocilia project off the hair cells into the otolithic membrane, which is a gel like substance
-The otoliths are attached to the top of the otolithic membrane
How does the sterocilia and otoliths work together to respond to changes in gravity?
-When the head flexes forward, the sterocilia responds to the changes in gravity by coming forward with the head
-This displaces the otoliths and a sensory signal is sent to the brain
What movement does the saccule detect?
Up and down (flexion and extension of the head)
What movement does the utricle detect?
Side to side (side bending of the head)
Where do the sensory signals from the utricle and saccule go to?
Straight to the AHC
What does otolith activation help with?
Can help increase spatial memory and spatial tasks
What are the four vestibular nuclei? Where are they located?
-Superior
-Lateral
-Medial
-Inferior
-They are located on each side of the brainstem at the junction of the pons and medulla, near the 4th ventricle
What are the main vestibular pathways to the spinal cord?
-Lateral vestibulospinal tract
-Medial vestibulospinal tract
What is the medial longitudinal fasciculus? What does it help with?
-It connects the vestibular nuclei to the cranial nerve nuclei that control eye movement (trochlear nucleus, oculomotor nucleus, and abducens nuclei)
-It helps bring about coordinated movements of the eyes
What nuclei does the medial vestibulospinal tract come from? What about the lateral vestibulospinal tract?
-Medial nucleus
-Lateral nucleus
What is the vestibular ocular reflex (VOR)?
-While turning head from side to side, focus your eyes on something directly in front of you
-Eyes should move in a smooth and coordinated fashion
What system does the VOR use to coordinate eye movement?
-Medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF)
-Head rotation to the right: excitation of left abducens and inhibition of the left medial rectus and right abducens
What reflex & system is disturbed with concussions? What symptoms occur?
-The VOR & vestibular dysfunction is seen
-Dizziness when moving head
-Unable to read books
-Difficult to drive
-Blurry vision
What gives rise to the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST)? What is its function? Where does it terminate?
-The lateral vestibular nucleus gives rise to the LVST
-It extends throughout the length of the spinal cord and is important in maintaining balance and lower limb extensor tone
-It terminates on the ipsilateral ventral horn of spinal cord
What are the main actions of the LVST? Where does it receive information from?
-Automatic postural responses
-Extensor muscle tone
-Innervates extensor muscles of limbs by facilitation to alpha and gamma motor neurons
What gives rise to the medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST)?
-The medial vestibular nucleus gives rise to the MVST as well as the inferior vestibular nucleus (semicircular canals)
Where does the MVST extend into? Where does it terminate?
-Extends only to the cervical spine and upper thoracic spinal cord
-It terminates bilaterally in the cervical region of the spinal cord connecting with motor neurons that innervate neck muscles and thoracic musculature
What is the action/function of the MVST?
-Controls neck and head position
-Provides a stable platform for eye movement and vision
-Mediates postural changes in response to head motion
What are 2 tracts that synapse on the AHC?
-Lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST)
-Lateral corticospinal tract (LCST)
What is the connection between the vestibular system and cerebellum? What information does it send to the cerebellum?
-The vestibular nucleus connects to the flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum
-It sends info directly to the cerebellum to coordinate movements to calculate posture and balance control
What are other outputs/pathways from the vestibular nuclei? What are their functions?
-Vestibulo-thalamo-cortical pathways: provides conscious awareness of head position/movement and input to the corticospinal tracts (spatial orientation)
-Vestibulo-ocular pathway: controls the magnitude of muscle responses to vestibular information, including the gain of the VOR. A key pathway in vestibular rehab
How does a peripheral lesion (inner ear) of the vestibular system effect nystagmus and vertigo?
-Onset of nystagmus is delayed
-Able to adapt/be treated
-Nystagmus is horizontal or rotatory, not vertical; does not change directions
-Prominent nystagmus is only present if vertigo is also present
How does a central lesion (brainstem or cerebellum) of the vestibular system effect nystagmus and vertigo?
-Onset of nystagmus is immediate
-May change directions
-Prominent nystagmus may occur in the absence of vertigo
What are the red flags of central lesions affecting the vestibular system?
-Sudden onset of dizziness associated with diplopia, dysphagia, dysarthria, dysmetria
-Blurred vision
-Abnormal eye tracking with oculomotor testing
-Hearing loss without dizziness
-Change in consciousness
-New onset of nystagmus with complaints of dizziness
What are symptoms of peripheral lesions in the vestibular system?
-Sudden, notable onset of vertigo often described as “spinning”
-A patient might say “it just hit me out of nowhere and I couldn’t move because the room was spinning round and round”
What is cervicogenic vertigo?
-Vertigo that is typically associated with cervical trauma and/or injury (whiplash)
-Symptoms are provoked by moving “the body on the head” rather than moving “the head on the body”
-Impaired cervical kinesthetic sense associated with injury impacts the VOR reflex and dynamic visual acuity, resulting in dizziness
-Manual therapy to decrease pain and increase ROM, joint position, sense retraining, VOR/DVA retraining
What are the three categories of vestibular disorders?
-Deficiency
-Distortion
-Fluctuation
What vestibular disorders are in the deficiency category? What are the signs & symptoms of these disorders?
-Neuronitis/labyrinthitis (viral infection)
-Acoustic neuroma
-New onset
-Severe
-Complaints of unsteadiness
-Instability that may increase with head movement
-Intense spinning
-Inability to walk
-Difficulty with vision
What vestibular disorders are in the distortion category? What are the signs & symptoms of these disorders?
-Benign paroxysmal position vertigo (BPPV)
-Vertigo
-Instability increases in the presence of inappropriate sensory signals (particularly vision)
-Disequilibrium of aging and multisensory disequilibrium
What vestibular disorders are in the fluctuation category? What are the signs & symptoms of these disorders?
-Meniere’s Disease
-Migraine
-Dizziness
-Vertigo
What is BPPV?
-A mechanical disorder, caused by otoconia displaced from the macula of the utricle into the semicircular canals
-Common in older adults
-Brief episodes of vertigo when the head is moved into certain positions (lying down, rolling over in bed, bending over, looking up)
When does BPPV usually peak?
It typically peaks in the 6th and 7th decades of someone’s life
What is the most common cause of vertigo?
Peripheral vestibular disorder
What is canalithiasis? What are the signs & symptoms?
-A subtype of BPPV
-Caused by debris floating in the semicircular canals
-Nystagmus has a latency between 1-40 seconds and is short in duration (<1 minute)
-Nystagmus fluctuates in intensity
-More treatable than cupulolithiasis
What is cupulolithiasis? What are the signs & symptoms?
-A subtype of BPPV
-Nystagmus is immediate and persistent in duration (>1 minute)
-Nystagmus has no change in intensity
-Harder to treat than canalithiasis
How is BPPV classified?
-Direction defines the affected canal
-Torsion/rotational: anterior and posterior SCC
-Horizontal: horizontal SCC
How do you differentiate between anterior and posterior canal BPPV?
-Anterior canal has down beating torsional nystagmus in Dix Hallpike test
-Posterior canal has up beating torsional nystagmus
How do you perform the Dix Hallpike Test?
-The patients head is turned 45 degrees toward affected ear in a long sitting position
-The patient is quickly moved into a supine position with her head extended 20-30 degrees and rotated 45 degrees toward their ear
-Wait at least 1 minute to determine if it is cupulolithiasis or canalithiasis
What are the 5 head movements that elicit BPPV symptoms?
-Turning over in bed
-Lying down
-Rising up from supine
-Bending forward
-Reclining head
How do therapists examine BPPV?
-Dix Hallpike
-Epley manuever
What is disequilibrium of aging vestibular disorder?
-No single causative factor
-Disequilibrium on the basis of multiple small summating factors (declining sensory inputs, sensory processing, decrease control mechanisms for balance, and aging musculoskeletal system)
-Gradual worsening of symptoms
What are the most common symptoms of disequilibrium of aging vestibular disorder?
-Disequilibrium when walking
-Dizziness
What is multisensory disequilibrium vestibular disorder?
-Refers to combined dysfunction of vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems
-Ex: diabetes can cause vestibulopathy, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy (caused by decreased blood flow)
-Any combination of disorders when walking especially in dim lighting and uneven surfaces
-Sensory complaints such as numbness and tingling in feet
-Poor proprioception/vibration sensation
-Poor use of vestibular system
-Poor vision
What is Meniere’s disease?
-The triad: tinnitus, hearing loss, and aural fullness
-Episodes of severe vertigo accompanied with vomiting and nausea
-Fluctuating hearing loss especially low frequencies
-Complains of pressure or fullness in head
-May be congenital or due to old ear infection affecting endolymphatic sac
What is the patho-mechanism of Meneire’s disease?
Increase volume of endolymph eventually leading to disruption of ionic balance between endolymph and perilymph, which results in spontaneous activation of vestibular receptors unrelated to head movement
What are the signs and symptoms of acute (< 3 days) unilateral vestibular loss (UVL)?
-Imbalance
-Assistance with gait
-Increased imbalance with head movement
-Complaints of blurred vision with head movement
-Nystagmus and vertigo
-Vertical diplopia
- + romberg, unable to do sharpened
-Unable single leg stance
-Can’t walk with head movements
What are the signs and symptoms of chronic (> 3 days) unilateral vestibular loss?
-Decreased head movement
-Decreased endurance
-Visual dependence
-Blurred vision with head movement
-Negative romberg; + sharpened romberg
-Normal gait
-SOT may be okay if compensated
-Vestibular rehab excellent prognosis for UVL
What is the pathology of UVL from acoustic neuroma? What usually happens after surgical resection? What are the symptoms?
-Acoustic neuromas are tumors that grow in the ear
-Pathology: cerebello-pontine angle neoplasm
-Gradual onset
-Surgical resection of tumor usually results in damage to cerebellum and CN VIII
-Symptoms are unilateral hearing loss, disequilibrium with head movement, veering, and tinnitus
What structures are supplied by the anterior inferior cerebral artery?
-Vestibular nuclei
-Trigeminal nuclei
-CN V
-Facial nerve
-Anterolateral tract
What is labyrinth?
-Vertigo
-Tinnitus
-Hearing loss
What are symptoms associated with AICA?
-Labyrinth (problems w/ vestibular system)
-Vestibular nuclei and nerve (lateropulsion towards involved side)
-Cerebellar flocculus and MCP (dysmetria, ataxia)
-Facial paralysis
-Decreased facial sensation
-Abducens nuclei
-Spinothalamic tract
-Spinal tract V
What are symptoms associated with PICA?
-Also called Wallenburg’s syndrome or lateral medullary infarction (most common occlusion of vertebral artery)
-Vestibular nuclei
-Dysmetria and gait ataxia
-Anterolateral tract (contralateral reduced pain and temperature of body)
-Ipsilateral decreased pain and temp of face (CN V)
-Solitary and vagus centers in medulla (vomiting and nausea)
What are exams for vestibular dysfunction?
-Observation of nystagmus with oculomotor exams
-Dizziness with cervical motions
-Balance dysfunction
-Subjective symptoms
-Caloric stimulation
-Computerized posturography
-Head impulse test
-Rotary chair
-Dix hallpike test
What are the inputs to the vestibular system?
-Cortex, cerebellum, reticular formation, extra-pyramidal
-Vision
-Proprioception superficial sensation
-Labyrinth activity
What are the outputs of the vestibular system?
-Cortical awareness of head, body, motion
-Control of oculomotor activity
-Control of posture
-Control of motor skill
What is dysarthria?
Trouble speaking
What is dysmetria?
Issues with coordination
What happens to synapses with repetition?
Synapses become “solid” and stronger with repitition
What is synaptic plasticity?
-The biological process by which specific patterns of synaptic activity result in changes in synaptic strength and is thought to contribute to learning and memory
-The connection or synapse between two neurons that occur with neuronal activity
What is the mechanism of synapses becoming stronger?
The more an activity is done, the amount of neurotransmitters associated with that synapse will increase and so will the receptors
What happens to the number of active brain regions the more an activity is done?
The number of active regions are reduced because less energy is required for the same task
What happens to the brain when someone learns a task?
When a task is fully learned, only small and distinct regions of the brain show activity
What is long term potentiation (LTP)?
The long term increase in synaptic strength
What stimulates long term potentiation?
Learning a new task stimulates LTP
What structures play a major role in synaptic stability?
-Dendritic spines play a major role in synaptic stability
-Changes in the dendritic spine (getting larger) can create synaptic stability
What can reduce the amount of dendrites in the hippocampus?
Stress
What is brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)?
Nerve growth factor
What can increase BDNF? What areas of the brain are affected?
-Aerobic exercise
-Cerebellum
-Hippocampus
-Spinal cord
What is Hebbian plasticity?
-Increases in synaptic strength between neurons that fire together
-“Neurons that wire together, fire together”
What does synaptic strength depend on?
It depends on high degree of intense neuronal activity
What are neural networks?
Chain of neurons
What is experience dependent plasticity?
-Plasticity that is gained through learning & memory
-Requires creating different experiences
What occurs during experience dependent plasticity?
-Synthesis of new proteins (receptors)
-Growth of new synapses
-Modification of existing synapses
How many days does it take to learn a task?
10 days
What happens when there is repetition of a specific stimulus?
-The pairing of pre and post synaptic firing, synthesis, and activation of proteins which alter the excitability of the neuron
-Inhibit or promote growth of new synapses, especially at dendritic spines
What is synaptogenesis?
The formation of new synapses
What is experience expectant learning? What is an example?
-Learning that will (should) happen no matter what
-Based on our genetics
-Happens early in life (1-3 years)
-Vision and language are experience expectant learning
-The brain expects to be exposed to language and visual stimuli
What happens to rods and cones if we do not get visual stimuli?
They will die
What is experience dependent learning? What is an example?
-Learning that occurs in response to experiences and complex environmental stimuli over the lifetime
-There is no optimal period (occurs throughout life)
-Unique to individuals
-Development of 2nd language is experience dependent learning
What is the use it or lose it principle in neuroplasticity?
-Neuronal circuits not actively engaged in a task for long periods of time will degrade
-Failure to “drive” specific brain functions can lead to functional degradation
-Ex: prolonged tube feedings can lead to the loss of neural circuitry for swallowing
What is the use it or improve it principle in neuroplasticity?
-Constraint induced therapy
-Sensory reorganization with sensory discrimination
What is constraint induced therapy? What are the parameters?
-Forced use of hemiplegic/affected limb by limiting use of non-affected side
-5 hrs/day and constrain other limb with mitt 90% of time
-Effective 3-21 months post injury
-Mild-moderately impaired individuals can use this
-Must be able to grasp or squeeze a cloth/towel
-Forced use too soon (in the first 7 days) will make the injury worse
What is the specificity principle in neuroplasticity?
-Motor skill acquisition is associated with dendritic growth, addition of synapses, and neuronal activity in the cerebellum and motor cortex
-Motor skill acquisition is shown to change activation patterns in motor cortex
-Repetitions of previously learned motor skills does not enhance motor corticalization
What is the repetition principle in neuroplasticity?
-Learning a new skill requires repetition to induce neural training
-Must continue performance after learning the skill
-Makes the required skill more resistant to neuronal decay
How much repetition is required to learn a new skill?
For adults, between 300-1000 repetitions per day
What will make learning a new skill easier and faster for a patient? What system helps with this?
-If they are more dedicated and motivated
-Limbic system is involved in this
What is the intensity matters principle in neuroplasticity?
-Targets speed, accuracy, and controlling phasic and sustained attention
-Neuromodulatory control of learning and subcortical systems that support it
-Working memory (add cognitive aspect)
-Noise/distractor suppression: being able to complete the task with distractions or noise
What should be the repetitions of an exercise to improve neuroplasticity?
A study showed that doubling the # of reps in an upper limb assisted therapeutic intervention resulted in significant improvements in motor function
What type of exercise increases neurotrophic factors?
Aerobic exercise increase levels of BDNF
What is the type and amount of motor activity intensity critical for?
It is critical in modulating the neural environment, and in determining whether the degenerative process or neuronal death cascades predominate during the early stages following brain injury
What is the salience matters principle in neuroplasticity?
-Salience=meaningful
-Critical importance of the “task” itself
-Assists in the reorganization of the brain
-Cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes are implemented by overlapping networks of regions that play various roles depending on the task/context
-These networks include prefrontal cortex, cingulate, amygdala, striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, insula, and parietal regions
How does age affect neuroplasticity?
-Younger brains have more potential for neuroplasticity
-Neurogenesis gets more difficult as we age
How much oxygen and nutrients does the brain consume? What nutrients/foods are good for the brain?
-20% of oxygen and nutrients
-Fish, salmon, olive oil
-Vitamin D
-Older people have more difficulty allocating nutrients
What is the principle of transference in neuroplasticity?
-The action of transferring something or the process of being transferred
-Training in one area enhances another
-Consider future plans and think positively: have an environment where the patient always feels successful
What is the interference principle in neuroplasticity?
-Cognitive, motor, or sensory information that runs “interference” with a planned goal (distractions)
-Enhancement of goal related tasks to reduce outside distractions
-Rest or reduce fatigue
-Ex: TUG with counting down form 100 by 3’s
Does neuroplasticity occur in single synapses or in brain circuits?
Both!!
What occurs when multiple brain modalities are used? What is an example?
-There is greater neuroplasticity
-Music has been shown to enhance learning
-Rhythmic auditory stimulation has been showing to assist patients with neurological disorders in ambulation
What are the different brain modalities to create neuroplasticity?
-Visual
-Motor
-Cognitive
-Somatosensory
What is unconscious motor learning? What structure in the brain is it associated with?
-Motor memories that are not easily extinguished, such as driving or riding a bike
-Motor memories related to movement in the cerebellum are very permanent and well designed
-Memories play a role in neuroplasticity
What system is the easiest to regain?
The motor system
What does memory for coordination of movements involve?
-It involved different types of plasticity in multiple regions including the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum
-The cerebellum coordinates a wide variety of signals from the sense and regions of the cortex, involving perception and communication with all aspects of movement
What structure in the brain tends to not be as affected by loss of neuroplasticity?
The cerebellum
What does rehabilitation build upon?
-Visualization
-Cognitive load
-Coordination and timing
-Communication
What is a critical factor in gaining faster over-ground walking speeds?
Speed of walking and training at faster than self-selected speeds
What helps increase neuroplasticity in combination with repetition?
Problem solving
What does systematic progression of difficulty do to the motor cortex?
Systematically progressing the difficulty of a task results in reorganization of movements in the motor cortex while no progression of difficulty had no effect on cortical motor maps
What is meant by the context of the exercise?
-Constantly increasing the difficulty by adding cognitive load, sensory/motor aspects
-Changing or modulating tasks increases the speed of neuroplasticity & learning
What happens when there is an increase in white matter?
Processing speed increases
What type of matter (white or gray) does neuroplasticity come from? Why?
-Gray matter
-Because neuroplasticity is the result of an increase in receptors and neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft
What does increase of BDNF help with?
-Cognitive function
-Mobility
-Gait
What can be used to prime motor rehab post stroke? What does this help with?
-Aerobic exercise should be used before motor training in post stroke patients
-It helps to increase the response to rehabilitation and increases long term potentiation and dendrite formation
What are the direct effects of aerobic exercise?
-Increase in neurotrophic growth factos (BDNF)
-Increase in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin
What are the indirect effects of aerobic exercise?
-Increase in physical fitness (cardiorespiratory and muscular)
-Decrease in systemic and CNS inflammation
-Increase in cerebral blood flow
What are the three types of ischemic strokes?
-Embolic
-Lacunar
-Athero-thrombotic
What is an embolic stroke?
Embolus blocking flow
What is a lacunar stroke?
-Plaque blocking blood flow
-Also called lacunar infarct or “small vessel disease”
-Results from the occlusion of small penetrating arteries that provide blood to the brain’s deep structures
What is an athero-thrombotic stroke?
Thrombus blocking blood flow
What is the etiology of lacunar strokes?
Chronic hypertension
Where do lacunar infarcts usually occur?
-Typically occur in the arteries that supply blood to the internal capsule
-Can also occur in the basilar artery or anterior cerebral artery
What are the signs & symptoms of a lacunar stroke?
-Pure motor hemiparesis (33-50%)
-Usually involved posterior limb of internal capsule
-Contralateral hemiparesis of face, arm, and leg
-No sensory deficits
-Pt’s typically have problems with their visual field but don’t know it (ask Dr. Rivera to confirm)
-Dysarthria may be present
What is the blood supply to the anterior limb of the internal capsule?
It is mainly fed by the lenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral artery, and sometimes but rarely from ACA
What are the lenticulostriate arteries?
Small penetrating arteries that supply blood flow to most of the subcortical structures
What is the blood supply to the genu of the internal capsule?
Lenticulostriate branches of MCA
What is the blood supply to the posterior limb of the internal capsule?
-Lenticulostriate branches of MCA
-Anterior choroidal artery (AChA) of internal carotid artery
What are the clinical findings in internal capsular strokes?
-Weakness of face, arm, or leg
-Pure motor stroke
-One of the classic types of lacunar infarcts
-Upper motor neuron signs
-Mixed sensorimotor (ask Dr. Rivera since info on slide is contradictory)
What are watershed areas? What are they causes by?
-Watershed zones are areas for reduced oxygen
-Infarcts in the watershed zones are due to reduced perfusion because of a blockage in the ACA, MCA, or PCA
-Occurs with an internal carotid artery blockage or common carotid artery blockage
-Commonly called watershed infarctions
What are transient ischemic attacks (TIA)?
-A stroke that lasts 10 minutes
-Longer than 10 minutes causes cell death
-TIA lasting an hour causes small infarcts, but they can easily recover
-Requires ER visit
-Early warning sign of future strokes
-Typically caused by chronic hypertension
What are signs and symptoms of TIA? What are treatments?
-Weakness on one side of the body
-Vision problems
-Slurred speech
-Often resolve within 24 hours
-Treatments include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes
What is cerebral edema?
-Internal pressure within the brain cortex caused by hemorrhage or edema from inflammation
-Serious consequence of stroke and can lead to early mortality
What is central perfusion pressure (CPP)? What is the normal values for CPP?
-The net pressure gradient that drives oxygen delivery to cerebral tissue
-Normal CPP is 55-60 mm Hg
What is intracranial pressure (ICP)? How is it measured? What are the normal values for ICP in adults?
-Pressure inside the brain/cranium
-Usually measured invasively through an intracranial pressure transduction device
-Most common method is with an intraventricular monitor
-Normal ICP is 5-15 mm Hg
What are abnormal values of ICP that indicate intracranial hypertension?
20-30 mm Hg
What is the equation for CPP?
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) - ICP
What are brain events that reduce cortical perfusion pressure (CPP)?
-Hemorrhagic stroke
-Tumors
-Infection
Why does hemorrhagic stroke reduce CPP?
It leads to increased pressure in the brain and reduces cerebral perfusion
Why do tumors reduce CPP?
Brain tumors can create increased cortical pressure and reduce brain perfusion
Why does infection reduce CPP? What else can infection cause?
-It causes substantial changes in regulation of cerebral perfusion
-Infection can cause adult brain tumors
Are outcomes better with hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes?
Outcomes are typically better with hemorrhagic strokes
What sex is more likely to get adult brain tumors?
Males are more likely to get brain tumors than females
What is the Goldilocks curve for blood pressure?
-It represents how the intensity of exercise effects blood pressure and how blood pressure effects risk or outcomes
-It is a U-shaped curve where the risk is lowest at a blood pressure that is just right, not too high or too low
What has happened to the death rate of stroke patients since the 70’s? Why has this change occured?
-Death rate fell 77%
-Greater awareness of symptoms
-Prompt medical attention (60 minutes door to ED)
-IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
What is IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)? When is it administered?
-It is a clot buster
-Prevents the stroke from continuing
-Helps to restore blood flow to brains regions affected by stroke, which limits the risk of damage and functional impairments
What is earlier treatment of thrombolytic treatment of stroke patients associated with?
-More frequent and independent ambulation at discharge
-Higher discharge rates to home vs SNF
-Reduced mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
What is a safe range of systolic blood pressure after a cerebrovascular accident?
Between 140-160 mm Hg
When should patients be mobilized after having a stroke?
-Patients should be mobilized 13-24 hours after receiving IV tPA
-Most hospitals follow a 24 hour period
What is the recommended dosing for out of bed for stroke patients?
-Early, lower dose out of bed activity is preferable to frequent, higher dose intervention
-First day 10-20 minutes
What are the steps involved with preparing patient for out of bed activities?
-Get PT orders from physician
-Review medical chart
-Get proper equipment (wheelchair or chair)
-Blood pressure monitor
-Pillows for UE support of affected side
-Gait belt
What will the PT assess for a patient post stroke?
-Shoulder subluxation
-Skin integrity
-Mobility
-Caregiver availability
-Spasticity
-Durable medical equipment/orthosis needs
-Recommendation regarding transition to appropriate level of post-acute care
-Potentially cognition (if no OT’s)
When should blood pressure be monitored with stroke patients? What are signs the patients BP has dropped too low?
-During activities
-Laying down to sitting
-After activities (1,2,3, and 5 minutes)
-Rapid large falls in BP can lead to reduced cerebral blood flow
-Eyes will flutter and cognition will change if BP is too low
-High BP has risk for another hemorrhage
What are general guidelines for BP in post stroke patients?
-Keep systolic under 180
-Diastolic under 105
How should PT’s assess for neurologic deterioration in stroke patients?
-Ask if they have new headache
-Acute hypertension
-Nausea or vomiting
-Changes in O2 sat
-Excessive SOB
-Syncope
What transfers are typically used with stroke patients? What should we protect throughout all of the transfers and why?
-Rolling from supine to side lying
-Side lying to sit
-Squat pivot
-Stand pivot
-Need to protect shoulder on hemiplegic side because of risk of subluxation or if it has already subluxed
What are outcome measures typically used for stroke patients in acute care?
-6 minutes
-TUG
-5 times sit to stand
-10 meter walk test
How does the sympathetic system effect the heart?
-Increases HR
-Increases BP
How does the sympathetic system effect sweating?
Increases sweating
How does the sympathetic system effect the eyes?
-Dilates pupils
-Widely opens eyelids
How does the sympathetic system effect the digestive system?
-Decreases secretion of digestive juices
-Decreases bowel motility
How does the sympathetic system effect blood sugar?
Increases blood sugar
How does the sympathetic system effect the lungs?
-Opens airways
-Bronchodilation
How does the sympathetic system effect muscle tone?
Increases muscle tone
How does the parasympathetic system effect the heart?
-Decreases HR
-Decreases BP
How does the parasympathetic system effect sweating?
Decreases sweating
How does the parasympathetic system effect the eyes?
-Constricts the pupils
-Relaxes the eyelids
How does the parasympathetic system effect the digestive system?
-Increases secretion of digestive juices
-Increases bowel motility
How does the parasympathetic system effect blood suagr?
It doesn’t/encourages normal blood sugar levels
How does the parasympathetic system effect the lungs?
-Bronchoconstriction
-Constricts the airways
How does the parasympathetic system effect muscle tone?
Encourages normal muscle tone
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
-Sympathetic
-Parasympathetic
What are the functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
-A division of the peripheral nervous system that influences organs and tissues
-Maintains homeostasis by regulating temperature and activity of internal organs
What does the ANS regulate?
-Circulation
-Respiration
-Digestion
-Metabolism
-Secretions
-Body temp
-Reproduction
What regions of spinal nerves does the parasympathetic system come from?
-Cranial nerves
-Sacral nerves
What regions of spinal nerves does the sympathetic system come from?
-Thoracic nerves
-Lumbar nerves
What is the sympathetic division also known as?
Fight or flight
What is the parasympathetic division also known as?
Rest and digest
What structures in the brain trigger the fight or flight response?
-The amygdala responds to a stressful event
-The hypothalamus registers the event
-Neural activity combined with released of hormones (norepinephrine and epinephrine) in the bloodstream trigger the fight or flight response
What does the sympathetic trunk consist of?
-Preganglionic sympathetic fiber
-Postganglionic sympathetic fiber
-Collateral ganglion
What are Betz cells and where do they originate from?
-A type of pyramidal neuron that connects the axon and descend the spinal cord via the corticospinal tract, which synapses directly with the anterior horn cells
-Over 50% of the Betz cells originate in the primary motor cortex
What is the pathway for motor impulses?
-Primary motor cortex
-Through the brain
-To the brainstem
-Midbrain
-Pons
-Medulla
-Through the spinal cord
What are the two corticospinal tracts? Where do they cross?
-Lateral corticospinal tract
-Crosses at cervicomedullary junction
-Anterior corticospinal tract
-Stays unilaterally and crosses over at spinal cord level to innervate bilateral sides
What is the anterior corticospinal tract? What motor tracts does it contain? What muscles does it innervate?
-One long axon from the precentral gyrus to medial motor nuclei
-Contains motor tracts for cevical and upper thoracic cord (trunk)
-Primarily innervates bilateral axial and shoulder girdle muscles
What is an upper motor neuron?
One long axon from the primary motor cortex to the anterior horn cell (CNS)
What are upper motor neuron lesions?
Trauma, diseases, or infections occurring in an upper motor neuron that is in the brain or spinal cord
What are lower motor neurons?
They involve the anterior horn cell and the peripheral nerves
What are lower motor neuron lesions?
Injuries, diseases, or infections associated with the lower motor neurons
Do all neurons in the lateral corticospinal tract travel contralaterally?
No, 10% of neurons in the lateral CST travel ipsilaterally and terminate in the ipsilateral spinal cord