Motor disorders - Spasticity Flashcards
What is the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis? What are 2 theories for this?
Immune system attacks the acetylcholine receptor by producing
antibodies to this receptor. One theory suggests that viral or
bacterial infections trigger the inappropriate immuno-response. Others relate to
abnormalities of thymus.
What are the symptoms of myasthenia gravis?
External ocular muscles are affected initially in 50% of cases. Followed
by other cranial nerves, proximal muscles, distal muscles.
Describe the typical scenario for myasthenia gravis.
- ptosis (drooping of eyelid)
- blurred vision
- mouth starts to hang
open - smile resembles a snarl because facial muscles pulling the corner of lips are
affected first - increased difficulty in swallowing, choking etc.
- weakness of the
respiratory muscles causing dyspnea (sensation of shortness of breath) upon mild
exercise - spread to trunk and finally limb muscles
What is the age of onset of myasthenia gravis in females? males?
- female = 28 years
- male = 42 years
treatment for myasthenia gravis?
- Remove thymus
- immunosuppressants: anticholinesterase drugs
Describe the viral hypothesis for onset of myasthenia gravis.
- herpes simplex virus has same peptide sequence in one area as the ACh receptor
- T cells and B cells attack and destroy herpes simplex virus
- T cells and B cells mistake ACh receptor as herpes simplex virus –> AUTOIMMUNE ATTACK
Which muscles is first affected in myasthenia gravis?
muscles controlling eyelids
TRUE or FALSE: in myasthenia gravis, antibody binding to ACh receptors leads to decreased rate of endocytosis.
FALSE: INCREASED rate of endocytosis (faster turnover rate of ACh receptors)
How was myasthenia gravis discovered? What did this experiment provide key evidence for?
- in 1970s, tried to label ACh receptor from electric fish by injecting it into mice, and fluorescently labeling the resultant antibodies
- experiment went wrong: fish and mouse receptor so similar that antibodies start attacking not only fish ACh receptors but also mouse ACh receptors
- key evidence that MG is an autoimmune disease
What are the events at the NMJ?
- motor neuron AP
- Ca2+ enter voltage-gated channels
- ACh release
- Na+ entry to post-synaptic cell
- local current between depolarized end plate and adjacent muscle plasma membrane
- muscle fiber action potential initiation
- propagated AP in muscle plasma membrane
- ACh degradation
How is neostigmine used to treat MG?
- anti-cholinesterase drug
- prevent breakdown of ACh
Neostigmine is reversible. What does this imply about daily intake?
you need to keep taking it daily
What is the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS)?
- Immune system attacks myelin and oligodendrocytes in the
CNS (in stage 1 of disease) - Scars near vessels in BBB
-Local inflammation and then immune attack - Later stage of disease occurs about a decade later (stage 2) where axons that lack myelin for many years eventually
die
what are the symptoms of MS?
- Blurred vision
- numbness
- incoordination
- speech disturbances
What are the 2 basic stages of MS symptoms?
- gradual decline in myelination and an increase in deficits
- cycles of symptoms interspersed with remissions
Within 9 years, ____% need cane to walk, as stage 2 of MS progresses.
50
Cognition is
affected in _____% of MS patients
50
What is the age of onset of MS?
20-40 years
What is the female to male ratio of MS?
3:1
Why is it suspected that environmental factors play a role in onset of MS?
more prevalent in northern hemisphere
TRUE or FALSE: MS is more prevalent in the northern hemisphere
TRUE
What is the treatment for MS?
corticosteroids or other drugs to SUPPRESS immune system
Describe the animal model for MS. What is the treatment?
- Inject myelin proteins or CNS tissue together with agents that stimulate the immune system
- treat with immunosuppressants
What is the pathophysiology for Guilain-Barre syndrome?
Immune system attacks myelin and Schwann cells in
the peripheral nervous system PNS. Typically follows
infection (EBV, mononucleosis) and associated
inflammation.
What is the main difference between pathophysiology of GBS and MS?
- GBS = attack PNS
- MS = attack CNS
TRUE or FALSE: MS often resolves spontaneouslty
FALSE: GBS resolves spontaneously
TRUE or FALSE: there is no known hereditary predisposition for MS
FALSE: GBS
What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Depends on severity; can lead to paralysis
What is the treatment for GBS?
Suppress immune system. If needed, support breathing with respirator until disease resolves.
How does loss of myelin cause an axon to die?
- lose myelin
- increase number of Na+ channels
- increase Na+ pumps
- use more ATP
- cells swell and die
TRUE or FALSE: GBS can be linked to gut biome
FALSE: MS