neuro Flashcards
epilepsy
Seizure: sudden , abnormal, disorderly discharge of neurons within the brain that is characterized by a sudden, transient alteration in brain function
Aura: occurs before a seizure
Perception of a strange light, unpleasant smell, or confusing thoughts or experiences
generalized onset seizures
Motor symptoms: clonic, tonic, myoclonic muscle activity, atonic or epileptic spasms
non-motor symptoms:Absence seizures
focal onset seizures
can cause motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychic symptoms with or without impairment of cognition
Automatisms: repeated automatic movements like clapping or rubbing of the hands, lip-smacking or chewing, or running
Non-motor symptoms: changes in sensation, emotions, thinking or cognition, autonomic functions, or lack of movement (Behavior arrest)
trigeminal autonomic cephalgia (cluster headache)
Excruciating unilateral headache with prominent cranial parasympathetic autonomic features
Activate a trigeminal parasympathetic reflex
Most common type: cluster headache
vasodilation responsible for autonomic features and pain
attacks of severe unilateral pain
agitation, restlessness
unilateral conjunctiva - blood shot eyes
orbital, suborbital temporal area
parkinsons disease
Combination of genetic, immunological and environmental factors
Mainly associated with progressive loss of dopamine producing cells in the substantia nigra, within the basal ganglia of the midbrain
Basal ganglia modulates movements like posture, standing, walking or writing
Reduction in dopamine leads to excess unopposed Ach, leading to tremors and spastic movements
Classic tremor is a resting “pill rolling” tremor, but other tremors exist as well
Rubbing the index finger and thumb together
Difficulty initiating gait or rising from a chair, take a long time to turn when walking
diagnosed with TRAP (tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait instability
relieve symptoms and maximize independence and mobility while preserving the quality of life
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Lou Gehrig’s disease
Progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of upper and lower motor neurons and eventually resulting in respiratory failure
Muscles that are no longer receiving signals weaken and atrophy
Eventually the damage to the motor neurons becomes so great that the brain is unable to start or adequately control voluntary muscle movement
Positive babinski’s reflex: when stroking the bottom of the pts feet,the toes spread out and the big toe moves up
diffucully w speech, dysphagia, breathing
progressive loss of motor function.
Cognitive processing and sensation are intact.
no cure
multiple sclerosis
remissions and exacerbations
damage to the myelin caused by autoimmune disorder
Vision problems are the most common and first to be seen because the optic nerves are heavily myelinated
Motor symptoms: Hemiparesis (muscle weakness)
weakness, numbness, tingling sensation
MRI to see lesions
no cure meds to relieve symptoms
Corticosteroids used to reduce inflammation
Novantrone: reduces neurological disability
Huntingtons Disease
Inherited, progressively degenerative neurological
disorder that results in involuntary motor symptoms,
cognitive decline, and emotional and behavioral symptoms
dominant CNS disorder caused by cellular deterioration in specific areas of the basal ganglia and cortex
Chorea: brief, irregular and dancelike movements
Athetosis: twisting and writhing movements
irritability, mania, anger
cognitive symptoms - slow response and memory
difficult to make sound decisions
diagnosis - genetic testing
genetic disorder
gullian barre syndrome
Caused by an antecedent infection of either the respiratory or GI tract
Previous infection evokes an autoimmune response in the peripheral nerves
Macrophages attack the myelin
Reaction results in defects in the conduction of electrical nerve impulses
Eventual absence of conduction causing flaccid paralysis of the muscles
Recovery can occur with remyelination
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, EBV, C. jejuni, CMV
Cardinal sign: progressive, usually symmetric muscle weakness accompanied by absent or depressed deep tendon reflexes
myasthenia gravis
Autoimmune disease caused by the loss of functioning Ach receptor in the neuromuscular junction
Leads to insufficient neuromuscular transmission
Autoimmune disorder with loss of
functioning Ach receptors in neuromuscular junction.
Autoantibodies directed against muscle acetylcholine receptors are detected.
Ocular: muscle weakness only occurs in the eyelids and extra ocular muscles
Generalized form: weakness throughout the entire body
frontal lobe
consciousness, judgment, emotional responses (executive function)
temporal lobe
hearing ability and memory acquisition. Center of speech found in left hemisphere
parietal lobe
sensory discrimination, such as touch perception and manipulation of objects, proprioception (where you are in space)
occipital lobe
controls vision
components of TBI/neuro assessment
battle signs and raccoon eyes
Battle’s sign: dark bruising visible in the skin overlying the mastoid process (just behind the ears)
Raccoon eyes: dark bruising visible in the skin around the eyes
