Nerve disorders Flashcards
An issue with the nerves is known as what?
Neuropathy
What four things should be asked about or done when trying to diagnose a neuropathy?
Pattern of weakness, time-course, deficits and nerve conduction study
Mononeuropathy refers to what?
Single nerve damage
Plexopathy refers to what?
Damage to the plexus
Radiculopathy refers to what?
Damage to the nerve root
Polyneuropathy refers to what?
Damage to the trigeminal branches
What three time-courses are present in neuropathy?
Hereditary, metabolic/toxic and autoimmune
What kind of onset does autoimmune cause in neuropathy?
Sub-acute
What two groups can deficits be split into?
Sensory or motor
What is Romberg’s test?
To see if someone can stand for a minute with their eyes closed, and measures their sensory function
An issue with the PNS, leads to what, in regard to reflexes?
No reflexes
If someone has high arched feet, what does this suggest for their diagnosis?
It is a hereditary condition
Gait refers to what?
How someone walks, e.g. foot drop or tripping
What four things should PNS damage lead to?
Sensory, motor or autonomic symptoms, and no reflexes
Bell’s palsy is an example of what neuropathy?
Mononeuropathy
What could lead a person to have multiple neuropathies?
Hereditary or diabetes factors
Generalised neuropathies refer to what?
Affect both sides of the body, and come up
Slow progressing generalised neuropathies can be due to what two causes?
Hereditary or diabetes/alcohol
Quick progressing generalised neuropathies can be due to what two causes?
Inflammatory or autoimmune
Motor neurone disease affects how many people?
2-3 per 100,000 people
What could make a person more susceptible to MND?
Genetics, virus or infection, head injury, toxins
Which gene is thought to be involved in MND?
TDP43 gene (RNA regulation)
How can glutamate lead to MND?
When a cell dies, glutamate is released and damages the neurones
How can neuroinflammation lead to MND?
Microglia and astrocytes make pro inflammatory molecules, and can damage the neurones
What four symptoms are linked to MND?
Bulbar, limb, respiratory and cognitive
What key diagnostic symptom is needed for a diagnosis of MND?
Progression of symptoms (NEEDED)
What diagnostic test is used for the diagnosis of MND?
The gold coast criteria
What three things are needed for an MND diagnosis?
Progressive, upper and lower motor nerve dysfunction in one body region (or lower dysfunction in two regions), and exclusion of other causes
What pharmacological medication can be given to MND patients, and what does it do?
Riluzole - a glutamate agnonist
