Intracranial Regulation

Question 1

Define Intracranial Regulation

Answer 1

Mechanisms and conditions that impact intracranial processing and function

Question 2

Scope of Intracranial Regulation

Answer 2

Question 3

Define Autoregulation

Answer 3

Adjustment of cerebral blood flow in response to metabolic demand of brain, by changing diameter of cerebral blood vessels.

Question 4

Define Neurotransmission

Answer 4

Process of sending signals from nerve to nerve across a synapse

Question 5

Define Neurotransmitter

Answer 5

Chemical that transmits signals from a neuron to a target cell

Question 6

Define Increased Intracranial Pressure

Answer 6

Pathological condition or trauma causes pressure within the cranial vault to increase

Question 7

Intracranial Contents

Answer 7

• Brain Tissue 78 %
• Blood 12%
• Cerebrospinal fluid 10 %
• ICP : pressure exerted by three volumes
• Adult normal ≤ 15 mm Hg.
• Intracranial HTN ≥ 20 mm Hg.

Question 8

Define Impaired Perfusion

Answer 8

There must be a consistent flow of blood to the brain; interrupted or reduced blood flow to the brain impairs brain function and can lead to tissue death

Question 9

Define Compromised Neurotransmission

Answer 9

There must be adequate transmission of nerve impulses across neuronal synapses by neurotransmitters for optimal brain function

Question 10

Define Glucose Regulation

Answer 10

Brain needs constant source of glucose/ can not store glucose

Question 11

Define Pathologic Stress

Answer 11

Degenerative process, inflammatory conditions, trauma, tumors, seizures, alterations in blood flow,

Question 12

Risk Factors for Intracranial Pressure

Answer 12

• Elderly persons: from degenerative pathological conditions and injuries (falls)
• Adolescents and young adults: from traumatic injury

Question 13

Assessment for Problems of Intracranial Regulation

Answer 13

• Findings vary with the specific type of intracranial regulation problem
• Changes in mental or motor function are the most common findings
• Common tests and tools for assessment:
  Mental status testing MMSE , Kokmen
  Cranial nerve testing
  Glasgow coma scale
  National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

Question 14

Common Diagnostic Tests for Intracranial Regulation

Answer 14

• Neuroimaging
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Skull radiograph
• Electroencephalogram
• Brain biopsy
• Lumbar puncture