GOLD Neuromuscular Conditions Flashcards
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
A chronic progressive neurological disorder that results in deterioration and irreversible damage to the cerebrum
What is present in brain biopsies of patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
Neurofibrillary tangles
Beta amyloid plaques
List 6 sign and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Intellectual decline
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of reasoning
- Possible motor and gait impairments
How can a PT manage a patient with Alzheimer’s disease?
- Keep treatments consistent and redirect patient to another task if they become frustrated during treatment
- Instruct the patient to carry a memory log if memory loss is present
What is the main difference between senile and presenile Alzheimer’s type dementia?
Presenile dementia has an age of onset of 40-60, a rapid onset and a very poor prognosis as compared to senile Alzheimer’s type dementia.
True or False: There is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
FALSE
List 3 drugs used for treat Alzheimer’s disease short term.
Tacrine (Cognex)
Donepezil (Aricept)
Rivastigmine (Exelon)
What are the 2 leading causes of death for patient’s with Alzheimer’s disease?
Infection
Dehydration
What is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
Degenerative disease affecting the UMN and LMN, with degeneration of the anterior horn cells and descending corticobulbar/corticospinal tracts
Describe bulbar versus spinal cord onset of ALS.
Bulbar (poorer prognosis): dysarthria and dysphagia
Spinal cord: rapid progressive muscular atrophy
List the LMN and UMN signs and symptoms of ALS.
LMN: progressive weakness, cramping, atrophy muscle fasciculations or twitching
UMN: Spasticity and hyperreflexia
What functions are typically spared in those with ALS?
Cognition
Bowel and bladder function
ALS is characterized by little to no _____ symptoms.
Sensory
List 6 treatment goals for patients with ALS.
- Maintain respiratory function and activity levels
- PROM exercises
- Positioning and skin care
- Avoid overworking the muscles and teach energy conservation
- Symptomatic treatment of pain, spasm and spasticity
- Provide psychological support and reassurance
List 3 exercise precautions to keep in mind when working with patients with ALS.
- Monitor fatigue levels closely
- Avoid overwork injury (avoid exercise if less than 1/3 of motor units are functioning; teach energy conservation instead)
- Limited positions with decreased pulmonary function
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
Acute autoimmune polyneuropathic condition that results in rapid loss of myelin in peripheral nerves
List 5 signs and symptoms associated with GBS.
- Weakness secondary to demyelination of cranial and peripheral nerves
- Some sensory loss (stocking/glove) and paresthesia
- Progressive motor paresis (LE first then UE, distal to proximal progression)
- May produce full tetraplegia with respiratory failure
- Tachycardia
How is GBS diagnosed?
Through a CSF sample that contains high protein levels and little to no lymphocytes