LO5: Nerves and MS Flashcards
What is a Neuron?
Specialised nerve cells that transmit electrical impulses from one part of the body to another
What are the components of a neuron?
Nucleus
Soma (cell body)
Myelin sheath
Axon terminals
Axon
Dendrites
What are dendrites?
Short branched structures, recieve electrical impulses and carry them towards the cell body, can be as many as 1000 per neuron
What are the myelin sheath?
Fatty substance surrounds the axon, forms protective insulating layer enables electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along nerve cells
What is the axon?
Long thread like part of the nerve cell, impulses conducted away from cell body to other cells, only one per neuron, surrounded by myelin sheath
What is the synapse?
The gap between two nerve cells, neurotransmitters released from one side and triggers the ongoing message at the other side of the gap
What are the main components of synaptic transmission?
Axon terminal
Neurotransmitters
Synapse
Receptors
Dendrite
How does synaptic transmission work?
Electrical impulse travels along an axon
Triggers the nerve endings of a neuron to release chemical messengers called neurotransmitters
Chemicals diffuse across the synapse
They bind to the receptor molecules on the membrane of the next neuron and transmit the signal
What is the biological explanation for MS?
An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the brain and or spinal cord, the myelin sheath becomes inflamed and damaged in patches, disrupst the messages travelling along the nerves, disruption leads to signs and symptoms of MS
When inflammation clears, scarring is left behind on the myelin sheath, can eventually lead to permanent damage to the underlying nerves
What are the causes of MS?
Caused partly by genes and partly outside factors
2-3% chance of developing if related to someone with the condition
Peoplw who smoke are twice as likely to develop MS
Viral infections might trigger immune system and lead to MS
Low vitamin D can play a part in the condition
What are the symptoms of MS?
Different for every person but the main ones are:
fatigue
numbness and tingling
stiffness or spasms
pain
What are the ways to monitor MS?
Blood tests
CT scans
MRI’s
What are the treatments for MS?
No cure it is the symptoms that are treated eg. muscle spasms
Steroids to treat relapse
Anti depressants
Physiotherapy
Speech and language therapist
What are the care needs for individuals with MS?
Wheelchair
MS nurse
Recieve daily care
Walking aid
