Neuro Flashcards
Where does all our conscious voluntary movement start?
In the frontal lobe motor cortex.
What makes up grey matter?
Dendrites and cell bodies and end feet
What makes up white matter?
Axons covered in mylein sheath
THE NEUROTRANSMITTER IN THE SKELETAL MUSCLE IS?
Acetylcholine
What receptors does acetylcholine fit into?
The two receptors it fits in is the nicotinic receptor and muscarinic receptor (this only in reference to the PNS system, not the voluntary receptor)
Which enzyme destroys acetylcholine?
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
What are the longest cells in our body?
The upper motor neurons
If the upper motor neuron is damaged, will we still have a reflex on the other side of the body?
Yes, because only the lower motor neuron is involved in reflexes.
What causes a floppy/flaccid paralysis?
When the lower motor neuron is affected by disease or something; no reflex
What causes a spastic paralysis?
When the upper motor neuron is affected by disease or something; reflex still present
What is fasciculation?
a brief spontaneous contraction affecting a small number of muscle fibres, often causing a flicker of movement under the skin.
What is an autoimmune disease?
When the body is making antibodies, but instead of making them against pathogens; you are making them against yourself.
Upper motor neuron disease originates where?
The brain
Lower motor neuron disease originates where?
Spinal cord
What is definition of multiple sclerosis?
Definition: scattered demyelination of CNS neurons, scaring, causing faulty impulse conduction (sclerosis means hardening) It is a chronic disease. It is an upper motor neuron disease. (CNS- BRAIN and Spine)
Guillain- Barre syndrome description:
Acute peripheral polyneuritis (P’NS)
This is a lower motor neuron disease because of the word PERIPHERAL.
This one is symmetrical and ascending (starts in the feet and goes upwards)
It starts suddenly and will get better.
It is still an autoimmune disease, it can start after the flu, the lymphocytes did not cease making antibodies for the flu and will now attack yourself.
Bilateral ptosis =
Droopy eyelids
What cranial nerves are involved in swallowing?
The glossopharengeal (#9), hypoglossal (#12) and the vagus (#10) nerves
What cranial nerves are involved in speech?
Hypoglossal (#12), vagus (#10), glossopharengeal (#9), and the facial (#7) nerves
What is myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means “grave muscle weakness.”Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. It occurs when normal communication between the nerve and muscle is interrupted at the neuromuscular junction—the place where nerve cells connect with the muscles they control. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels from the neuromuscular junction and binds to acetylcholine receptors which are activated and generate a muscle contraction.
In myasthenia gravis, antibodies block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which prevents the muscle contraction from occurring. These antibodies are produced by the body’s own immune system. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease because the immune system—which normally protects the body from foreign organisms—mistakenly attacks itself.
The problem lies at the neuromuscular junction, the muscle receptors are not picking up the acetylcholine.
Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (AKA Lou Gehrigs Disease)
Voluntary neuromuscular disease. Motor neurons are nerve cells located in the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord that serve as controlling units and vital communication links between the nervous system and the voluntary muscles of the body. Messages from motor neurons in the brain (called upper motor neurons) are transmitted to motor neurons in the spinal cord (called lower motor neurons) and from them to particular muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, and stop sending messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away (atrophy), and have very fine twitches (called fasciculations). Eventually, the ability of the brain to start and control voluntary movement is lost.
Upper (cortex) and lower (ant. horn) motor neuron disease, muscle weakness
Starts hands and feet, swallowing
Wide spread, rapidly progressive
? cause, more men, age 40 and over
No treatment
What is involved in the nursing neurological assessment?
Preliminary survey and vital signs Mental state Sensory symptoms Motor symptoms Reflexes Cranial nerves
What are some of the diagnostics that can be done?
Clinical picture, history
Reflexes, balance, sensation
CSF analysis
MRI or CAT scan
EMG
Blood tests
Nursing interventions for neuro disease?
Promote activity Provide comfort Prevent complications – infection, constipation Promote adequate nutrition Promote communication
What is the treatment for neuromuscular disease?
No effective cure Manage signs + symptoms Cortisone Symptomatic Immunosuppressive drugs Plasmaphoresis Rehabilitation
What is plasmaphoresis?
a method of removing blood plasma from the body by withdrawing blood, separating it into plasma and cells, and transfusing the cells back into the bloodstream. It is performed especially to remove antibodies in treating autoimmune conditions.
What could cause more brain tissue than normal?
- Encephalitis- inflammation in the brain, causing heaps more interstitial fluid and leaky capillaries.
- Tumor
- Abscesses
What can cause more blood in the brain?
- Hemorrhage
- CVA