Module 11 - Parkinson's, Seizures, & MS Flashcards
Nerve Cell Hillock
location where the axon leaves the cell body
What causes the signals generated in neurons?
The sum of the inputs that are excitatory or inhibitory at the axon hillock
Nerve signals are what kind of phenomenon
all or nothing
When the cell gets to threshold…
propagation occurs and the signal can go to another nerve cell or to a motor end plate
The more myelin…
the faster the conduction
__ is needed to make myelin
Fat
Nodes of Ranvier
areas of ion flow where the action potential jumps from node to node
Clustering or NaK channels allow for saltatory conduction in one direction as channels close behind them
Saltatory Conduction
pattern of myelinated axons allowing increased speed of conduction of action potentials
In Multiple sclerosis we are worried about what
demyelination of central nerves and loss of saltatory conduction in certain areas
Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive degenerative disorder of dopamine secreting neurons that control muscle movement
Incurable
What causes Parkinsons Disease
depletion of dopamine and excess of acetylcholine
Excitatory Inputs are made with what Neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine
Inhibitory Inputs are made with what Neurotransmitter
Dopamine
Is Parkinson’s Fatal?
no, but death may occur from complications
Forms of Parkinsons Disease
Primary Idiopathic PD
Secondary Parkinsonianism
Primary Idiopathic Parkinson Disease
PD without a known cause
Secondary Parkinsonianism
Parkinson’s disease caused by some other event like trauma, infection, tumor, atherosclerosis, toxins
What kind of genetically inherited forms of Parkinsons Disease are there
- A rare autosomal dominant form
- An early onset autosomal recessive form
Parkinson’s could be from an interaction of what things? Or a result of what?
Interaction between genetics and environment
Or it could be a side effect of anti psychotic medicines that block dopamine receptors
___ is not effected until later in Parkinson’s Disease
Cognition
What usually kills in Parkinsons Disease
the complications from immobility not the disease itself
The majority of Parkinson’s Disease patients are what age when diagnosed
60s to 70s
How is Parkinson’s Disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis is CLINICAL - there are no lab tests for it
However, diagnostic tests can be done to rule out other things such as CT or MRI to rule out stroke or tumor
Area Affected in Parkinson’s
Dopamine secreting neurons deep in the basal ganglia (Extrapyramidal brain nuclei)
What does the impact on dopamine secreting neurons in the basal ganglia have on a Parkinsons Patient
Influences initiation modulation and completion of movement
For fine motor movements what must be balanced?
Acetylcholine (Excitatory) and Dopamine (Inhibitory) release balance
Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons leads to…
Deficiency of dopamine and relative excess of acetylcholine at the synapse –> this causes rigidity tremors and bradykinesia
Dopamine deficiency prevents…
affected brain cells from performing their normal inhibitory function in the CNS
Extrapyramidal System
Neural network of motor systems that control involuntary reflexes and movement
Pyramidal System
the motor cortex and voluntary movements
The nerves leaves the motor cortex and axons cross at the medulla oblongata
__ __ cannot occur without dopamine
Smooth Coordination
Normally, what is the dopamine:acetylcholine ratio
1:1
Classic Manifestations of Parkinson’s
Resting Tremor
Bradykinesia
Rigidity
Postural Dysfunction
What is the Resting Tremor like in Parkinson’s Disease
Asymmetric, rhythmic, low amplitude (not spastic
Usually unilateral in hands and feet
Pill Rolling
Disappears during sleep but worsens with stress
Intermittent –> progressively worsens
What is the Bradykinesia in Parkinson’s Disease like
slowness of voluntary movement
generalized slowness of movement
failure of antagonistic muscles to relax
loss of ability to walk, blink, or swallow saliva
What is the Rigidity like in Parkinson’s Disease
involuntary contractions of striated muscle
Stiffness of limbs
resistance to ROM
Uniform –> lad pipe rigidity or jerky –> cogwheel rigidity NOT spasticity
You have to work against it to get moving and it will become bilateral with progression
Once they start moving, hard to initiate and modulate stopping and turning - take fast short steps
What is the Postural Dysfunction like in Parkinson’s Disease
Shuffling gait and balance problems
Loss of postural reflexes causing high fall risk
Stooped posture - leans to one site when seated
Festinating Gait
Festinating (Parkinsonian) Gait
short, accelerating steps
hard to initiate and hard to modulate in order to stop and turn
What is not affected in Parkinson’s Disease
Intellect - so they are aware of symptoms and deficits and cannot control what the body does – therefore it is disturbing to them
What are some other Parkinson’s Disease Manifestation
Fine Motor deficits (fingers and hand) are slow and difficult
Micrographia
Hypomimia
Dysarthria and Monotone, high pitch low voice volume
Freezing
Slight foot drag
Turns are hesitant and En Block
Dandruff, oily skin, and seborrhea
Less blinking
Drooling and dysphagia leading to swallowing issues
Autonomic dysfunction - urine retention, diaphoresis, orthostatic hypotension, constipation
Depression and Anxiety
Dementia in late stages
Micrographia
Small Cramped Handwriting
Hypomimia
Decrease in facial expression
masklike faces
less blinking
What is the voice like in Parkinson’s disease
low volume hoarse and breathy
high pitch and monotone
Parkinson’s Disease patients have a very high __ risk
fall
Why are UTI rates high in Parkinson’s disease?
They cannot control autonomic functions like relaxing and contracting the bladder easily
Complications from Parkinson’s Disease
Disability to varying degrees
Difficulty performing ADLs
SE from medications
Late - Dementia
Injury from Falls
Aspiration
UTI
Pressure Ulcers
What is usually less affected in Parkinson’s Disease
Intelligence and Lifespan
*Can have a full life and not die early but you know what is happening to you - you are aware
What is the goal of Parkinson’s treatment
There is NO CURE at this time –> so the goal is to relieve symptoms and maintain function through pharmacologic, surgical, and PT means
What sort of drugs may be given to Parkinson’s pts?
Dopaminergic (Levodopa-Carbidopa)
Anticholinergic (Artane, Cogentin)
Other (Eldpryl, Tasmar, Symmetrel)
Levodopa-Carbidopa
A dopaminergic drug given to PD patients
Levidopa is an inactive dopamine form that can cross the blood brain barrier and convert to dopamine in the brain - but there are enzymes in the periphery that do this do so we use Carbidopa to inhibit periphery conversion before crossing since active dopamine cannot cross
What are anticholinergics good for in Parkinson’s Disease patients but can cause what?
Good for stopping drooling, but they cause dry mouth and cause more drinking with risk for aspiration of fluids
What sort of surgeries may be done on Parkinson’s patients
Pallidotomy by Stereotactic Neurosurgery
Fetal tissue Transplants
Deep Brain Stimulation
these are not used as much
What is the mainstay treatment for Parkinson’s
Levodopa-Carbidopa Drugs
Pallidotomy by Stereotactic Neurosurgery
obliteration of ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus and Globus pallidus which prevents involuntary movement
For PD
Fetal Tissue Transplants
For PD
transplanting cells from the basal ganglia or adrenal medulla of fetuses into the caudate
Deep Brain Stimulation
Pacemaker like brain implants that decrease tremors and is controlled by the patient via a magnet
for PD
When are surgical measures sued for Parkinson’s?
When they are not responding to medication management.
Why is PT so important in Parkinson’s?
PROM, walking, bathing, speech therapy, massages are all important to maintain independent function which we want to promote as long as possible safely
Nursing Care measures for Parkinson’s
Education
Referral to support groups
Exercise program – maintain mobility and safety
Assess: Chewing, swallowing, depression, nutrition (as it may be hard to chew and swallow or get food)
Speech therapy for dysarthria
Home safety (bars, etc anything to make the home safer)
Clothing choices: Non-skid Velcro shoes, shirts without buttons, slacks with elastic waistbands,
Epilepsy
Seizure Disorder
Condition of the brain characterized by susceptibility to recurrent seizures
These are not just a febrile seizure when they were kids, its seizures every once in a while
It is from Paroxysmal events associated with abnormal electrical discharges of neurons in the brain
Epileptogenic Focus
area of the cerebral cortex causing the seizures - where the brain is making the electric storm
Neurons in the brain depolarize or become hypoexcitable –> fires more readily than normal when stimulated as a result
Types of Epilepsy
Primary
Secondary
Primary Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
Idiopathic - no apparent structural brain changes occur
We do not know what is causing it
The brain cells fire and reset and electrical discharges keep going throughout the brain causing varying symptoms depending on location
Secondary Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
Structural changes or metabolic alterations in the brain leading to increased automaticity
Could be something like a brain tumor, atherosclerosis, or a metabolic disorder
What is the prevalence of epilepsy
1-2% –> 2 million people
When is the occurrence/diagnosis of Epilepsy most commonly seen?
Highest in childhood and with old age
even babies can get it though, anyone can