Lecture 7

Question 1

What is a migraine?

Answer 1

Happens when there’s too much or too little blood flow in the brain

Question 2

What is the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 2

Astrocytes form this-prevents toxins from entering the brain BUT it also prevents useful substances from getting through eg) antibiotics.

Question 3

What is the area that the blood-brain barrier doesn’t protect and what does this area do?

Answer 3

Area postrema, which detects toxins and induces vomiting

Question 4

What are the microglia?

Answer 4

Originate in the blood as off shoot of the immune system-after damage they invade the area promoting growth factors and cleaning mess. Debris removal happens via phagocytosis

Question 5

What are the oligodendroglia?

Answer 5

Glial cells in the CNS that myelinate axons

Question 6

What are Schwann Cells?

Answer 6

Glial cells in the PNS that myelinate axons

Question 7

What is multiple sclerosis?

Answer 7

CNS disorder resulting from a loss of myelin around the axons, estimated 100 000 people living with it in Canada, Both sensory and motor pathways are affected which results in HUGE number of symptoms and also remission periods, which makes it incredibly difficult to diagnose.

Question 8

What is an autoimmune disease (MS)?

Answer 8

Illness resulting from an abnormal immune response by the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body

Question 9

What does it mean by MS is idiopathic?

Answer 9

We don’t know why it happens

Question 10

What are some environmental factors that could contribute to MS?

Answer 10

Lack of vitamin D, most Canadians do not get enough! Especially in Alberta.