Motor system diseases

Question 1

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Answer 1

often preceded by infection or vaccination
tiggers an autoimmune response against body’s own peripheral myelin
symptoms are purely LMN. begin with paresthesias and weakness in the legs followed by ascending `paralysis. may involve paralysis of diaphragm, bilateral facial weakness, unstable bp. usually symptoms stabilize within 1-3 wks. medical emergency.

Question 2

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer 2

degeneration of both UMNs and LMNs. cramps are common initial complaint. most pts die within 4 yrs

Question 3

pseudobulbar palsy

Answer 3

multiple strokes eventually interrupt the corticobulbar tracts to the brain stem. usually a history of at least one old stroke. results in profound dysarthria and dysphagia. patients also frequently become demented and show emotional incontience.

Question 4

characteristics of huntington’s chorea

Answer 4

dementia and personality disorder
choreiform movements
family history

Question 5

palatal myoclonus

Answer 5

lesion in the central tegmental tract that interrupts input from the red nucleus to the inferior olivary nucleus –> rhythmic, symmetric contractioins of the palate. lesion is usually in the pons