NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES

Question 1

Multiple Sclerosis

Answer 1

MS is a disease of unknown cause that manifests as multiple hard plaques of degeneration of the insulating layer of nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The loss of insulation allows “short-circuiting” of nerve impulses. Depending upon where the degeneration occurs, patients may suffer paralysis, sensory disturbances, or blindness.

Question 2

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Answer 2

the fancy name for a “stroke”. A blood vessel in the brain may burst to cause internal bleeding.

Question 3

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Answer 3

It literally means “not quite enough blood”. A short period of insufficient blood supply to the brain can have the same signs and symptoms as a stroke such as weakness in an arm, a partial loss of vision, but the problem lasts less than 24 hours.

Question 4

Epilepsy

Answer 4

a Greek word for “seizure.” Convulsions is another term used. Seizures may have many causes and not all seizures are epilepsy. High fevers in young children may trigger seizures that are short in duration, easily controlled, and, typically, have no permanent aftereffects.

Question 5

Aphasia

Answer 5

loss of speech.

Question 6

Neurologist

Answer 6

a physician specializing in diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. He/she may refer a patient to a neurosurgeon. Neurologists do not do surgery.

Question 7

Lumbar (spinal) puncture or tap (LP)

Answer 7

introducing a needle between the lower bony vertebrae of our spinal column allows a physician to sample the fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Question 8

Brain scan

Answer 8

introducing a radioactive element into the blood can image possible tumors in the brain.

Question 9

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer 9

an image (in this case a written recording) of the brain’s electrical activity. EEGs are used to diagnose different types of seizure disorders such as epilepsy, brain tumors, and are used in sleep research to identify stages of sleep.

Question 10

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer 10

a specialized X-ray machine that takes multiple images of a body area from different angles and has a computer that integrates the multiple images into “slices” of the body.

Question 11

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 11

The patient’s body is placed in a strong magnetic field. Radio pulses affect the resonance or “spin” of atoms in the tissues.