Neuro Disorders Flashcards
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
A chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the Central Nervous System caused by degeneration of the myelin sheath and loss of axons
What are the three principal parts of MS?
- brain and spinal inflammation
- Demyelination
- Scar development (gliosis)
What are the risk factors for the development of Multiple sclerosis?
20-40-year-old women who live in a cooler climate, are Caucasian, have smoked in the past, are Vitamin D deficient, obese, or have had EBV before
Define Benign MS:
no disability with a return to normal between attacks
define Primary-progressive MS:
steady increase of disability with no remissions
define Relaxing-Remitting MS:
most common - unpredictable attacks with periods of remissions and possible disabilities
define Secondary-Progressive MS:
initial relapsing-remitting pattern that suddenly declines with steady disability increase and no remissions
define Progressive-Relapsing MS:
steady disability decline with occasional SUPER-imposed attacks
How would an individual with Multiple Sclerosis present to the clinic?
The 1st sign would consist of trunk, limb, and face paresthesias, cog fog, vision problems, bowel and bladder problems, depression, fatigue, weakness, sexual issues, muscle stiffness and spasms, and vertigo
How would you treat a relapse of multiple sclerosis?
high-dose IV glucocorticoid, IV gamma globulin, ACTH
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
An autoimmune disorder where the myelin sheath is damaged by antibodies of the Peripheral Nervous System
What is the cause of GBS?
GBS is thought to be caused by viral infections and bacterial infections and occur days to weeks after these events
How many people survive GBS?
95%
How many people completely recover from GBS?
75%
How does GBS present?
presents in an ascending pattern starting with decreased sensation in the feet that moves upwards and the severity of symptoms increases over hours or weeks
What is the range of disabilities with GBS?
numbness to complete paralysis
Why can GBS become life-threatening?
If the respiratory muscles become affected
What are common clinical manifestations of GBS?
decreased sensation, decreased bowel and bladder control, blurry vision, difficulty breathing, swallowing, and chewing
What is ALS (Lou Gehrig)?
ALS is a rare, progressive neuro disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons in both the upper and lower extremities caused by excessive levels of glutamate
What is the life expectancy of those with ALS?
3 years after diagnosis
Who is at risk of developing ALS?
males in their 40-70s who have a family history and have smoked in the past
How do motor neurons degenerate in ALS?
The “Excitotoxicity hypothesis” says that excessive glutamate production leads to a cascade of events that causes neuron death, causing motor neuron degeneration and electrical/chemical messages not making it from the brain to the muscles.
What is the most common cause of death in those with ALS?
respiratory failure due to respiratory muscles not working
How would an individual with ALS present to the clinic?
upper extremity weakness with muscle wasting and spasticity, dysarthria, dysphagia, drooling, and cognitive and behavioral changes, constipation, sleep problems, and breathing issues
