L6 Introduction to Stroke

Question 1

Name the three main divisions of the brain and what processes they are involved in.

Answer 1

1. Cerebrum (cortex & mid-brain) - houses cortical regions
2. Cerebellum - involved in fine motor control
3. Brain stem - basic survival functions eg breathing,
   swallowing

Question 2

Name the 4 lobes of the cortex and what functions they are involved in.

Answer 2

1. Frontal lobe - planning, emotions, mood, executive
   functions
2. Parietal lobe - sensory processing, perception and
   orientation
3. Temporal lobe - involved in semantics, auditory
   processing
4. Occipital lobe - involved in processing visual information

Question 3

How much of the total body mass is the brain? how much oxygen and glucose does it consume?

Answer 3

5% of total body mass, consumes 20% oxygen intake and 15% of glucose intake. Very energy Hungary organ.

Question 4

how many Arteries supply blood to the brain? expand on the structure of these.

Answer 4

Around 8 main arteries supply the brain.
The most commonly involved in stroke is the Middle Cerebral Artery which supplies a large portion of the cortex and deeper structures. Arteries which enter from the front (posterior) and back (anterior) of the brain join in the deep brain in a circle called the Circle of Willis. the Cerebellum is supplied by 3 different arteries.

Question 5

What is a stroke?

Answer 5

Interruption of blood flow to the brain which leads to the death of neurons (necrosis) as a result of the lack of glucose and oxygen.

Question 6

What is an Ischaemic stroke and what are the three main types??

Answer 6

Ischaemic stroke refers to the stoppage of blood supply to the brain because of the blockage of a vessel.

1. Cerebral Thrombosis - occurs when a blood clot blocks
   a vessel in the brain
2. Cerebral Embolism - occurs when a blood clot formed
   elsewhere in the body (donor site)
   called an embolus travels and
   blocks a vessel in the brain
   (recipient site)
3. Systemic hypoperfusion - lack of blood supply because
   of the failure of the heart

Question 7

What is a Haemorrhagic stroke and what are the three main types?

Answer 7

Haemorrhagic stroke refers to when a vessel ruptures causing bleeding in the brain which stops the blood supply

1. Intra-Cerebral Haemorrhage - bleeding within the brain/
   3 meninge layers
2. Sub-dural Haemorrhage - bleeding anywhere between
   the pia and dura meninge
   layers
3. Epidural Haemorrhage - bleeding in between the dura
   and the skull

Question 8

What is a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)?

Answer 8

TIA is an Ischaemic stroke in which the blockage resolves itself, ie the blockage is broken down. Symptoms last less than 48hours usually, although having a TIA normally indicates the person is at greater risk of having another stroke.

Question 9

What kinds of problems would follow on form stroke to different brian reigns?

Answer 9

Post-stroke Hemipherisis - damage to the motor cortex
leading to weakness on one side
(contralateral) of the body

Wernicas Aphasia - damage to part of parietal/temporal
lobe causes problems in speech
comprehension

Broccas Aphasia - damage to motor cortex can cause
problems with producing motor
movements for speech

Hemi-Spatial neglect - damage to one parietal lobe
hemisphere causes a deficit in
attention and awareness to one side
of the field of vision

Coordination Problems - damage to Cerebellum

Problems Breathing, Swallowing - damage to the brain stem

Question 10

What are the 5 immediate signs of a stroke?

Answer 10

1 - Numbness to one side of the body
2 - Dizzyness
3 - Confusion
4 - Headache
5 - Vision problems

Question 11

What is the Caplan (2006) essential reading paper about?

Answer 11

summarises the broad types of strokes, talks about Ischaemic and Haemorrhagic strokes and TIAs