Multiple Sclerosis and MND Flashcards
what type of disorder is MS?
MS is a demyelinating disorder
what does MS cause physiologically?
it causes inflammation and elective destruction of the myelin sheath
what are the consequences of the loss of the myelin sheath around nerve axons?
muscle paralysis
sensory loss
Describe the degeneration of the myelin sheath
it is lost due to an autoimmune attack from the body’s own immune system
it is triggered by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors
what replaces the myelin sheath?
The myelin sheath deteriorates and is replaced by hardened scars or plaques (sclerosis)
This affects the white matter in the spinal cord and in the brain
What are oligodendrocytes?
the cells which synthesise myelin in the CNS
how can oligodendrocytes be generated?
can be generated from Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs).
what is the difference in new myelin formed by oligodendrocytes?
- myelin sheath is thinner
- shorter distance between nodes
what are the 4 classifications of MS?
-primary progressive MS
-secondary progressive MS
-relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
-progressive relapsing MS
what is Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)?
CIS is defined as the first episode of symptoms associated with inflammation and demyelination.
what is MND also commonly known as?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig Disease.
how many locations does MND affect?
3 different locations
name the 3 locations MND affects
- Anterior horn cells- the lower motor neurones in the spinal cord
- Brainstem motor nuclei
- Corticol motor neurones- the upper motor neurones, lateral corticospinal tract
how do motoneurones degenerate?
they degenerate starting in the distal parts and work back to the cell bodies, causing the cell to eventually die off- replaced by scar tissue
what are the symptoms of Upper Motor Neuron Disease?
- Weakness
- Spasticity
- Loss of fine motor control
- Gait problems
