Neuro - Key Words (Prof. Cowley made these last year for another class; they include links!)

Question 1

Absence seizure

Answer 1

A type of generalized (involves both sides of brain) onset, non-motor seizure; usually seen in children & rarely beyond adolescence. Typical vs atypical vs myoclonic

Absence Seizure Video

Question 2

Acetylcholine

Answer 2

A neurotransmitter. Myasthenia gravis is caused by an autoimmune process in which antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors.

Question 3

Aphasia

Answer 3

Impaired ability to communicate (comprehensive, expressive or both); often seen with CVA patients

https://youtu.be/RMa9BVpJkYQ

Question 4

Ataxia

Answer 4

Inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements; often looks as if patient is intoxicated

Ataxia Demonstration

Question 5

Autonomic dysfunction

Answer 5

Sometimes occurs with Guillain Barre Syndrome patients; disturbance in ANS results in orthostatic hypotension or hypertension, bradycardia, facial flushing, bowel/bladder problems

Question 6

Automatism

Answer 6

Happens with partial complex seizures; a set of brief unconscious behaviors; several seconds to minutes to longer; examples include finger rubbing, lip smacking, chewing, swallowing - or more complex actions, such as sleepwalking or incoherent speech.

Question 7

Bradykinesia

Answer 7

Slowness in initiation & execution of movement (seen with PD)

How to pronounce

Question 8

Say that word!

Diplopia

Answer 8

Double vision

Picture

Question 9

Dopamine

Answer 9

Neurotransmitter; a deficit is found in Parkinson’s Disease

Question 10

Dysarthria

Answer 10

Problem with muscular control with speech; many stroke patients have dysarthria; problems with pronunciation, articulation & phonation

Example of ALS patient with Dysarthria

Question 11

Dyskinesia

Answer 11

Impairment of voluntary movement, resulting in fragmentary or incomplete movements

Video of a PD patient who before and after deep brain stimulation (dyskenesia resolves)

Question 12

Dysphagia

Answer 12

Difficulty swallowing

Question 13

Dysphasia

Answer 13

Impaired ability to communicate; often used interchangeably with aphasia

Question 14

EEG

Answer 14

Electroencephalography - electrical activity of brain using scalp electrodes.

Question 15

EMG

Answer 15

Electromyography - recording of electrical activity associated with innervation of skeletal muscle (needles used)

Picture

Question 16

Evoked potential test

Answer 16

Electrical activity associated with nerve conduction along sensory pathways is recorded by electrodes placed on skin and scalp. A stimulus generates the impulse. Use to diagnose multiple sclerosis.

Visual evoked potential example

Question 17

Fasciculation

Answer 17

Spontaneous, involuntary muscle contraction & relaxation, involving fine muscle fibers.

26 second clip; watch closely

Question 18

Ice pack test

Answer 18

Useful in diagnosing myasthenia gravis; bag of ice placed on closed eyelid of eye experiencing ptosis for one minute; when remove eyes, assess immediately to see if ptosis improves (lasts < 1 minute); sensitivity = 80% with prominent ptosis

Picture

Question 19

Nystagmus

Answer 19

Jerking or bobbing of eyes as they track moving object

Example

Question 20

On-off phenomenon

Answer 20

Invariable consequence of long-term Levodopa administration; on = mobile - off = immobile; initially = wearing off at end of dosing interval, but eventually becomes predictable

Short clip demo

Question 21

What are the types of seizures?

Answer 21

Generalized onset

• Tonic-clonic
• Absence

Focal-onset

• Focal seizures w/ retained awareness
• Focal seizures w/ impaired awareness

Question 22

Plasmapheresis

Answer 22

A possible intervention for myasthenia gravis & guillain barre (all autoimmune in nature); pulls plasma out of body to rid of autoantibodies

Question 23

Phases of a generalized seizure

Answer 23

Prodromal - patient can tell the seizure is on its way; hours or even days before seizure starts; not all people experience this stage; examples = mood changes, feeling lightheaded, difficulty sleeping

Aural - an early part of the seizure; examples = deja vu (a sense that something has happened before when in fact it hasn’t); odd smells/tastes or sounds; vision problems; pins & needles feeling in parts of body, etc.

Ictal - the time from the first symptom to the end of the seizure; intense electrical activity is occurring in the brain; loss of awareness, confusion, difficulty hearing, twitching, loss of muscle control, repeated movements, body convulsions, etc.

Post-ictal - after the ictal phase; recovery phase; during this phase any physical after-effects of the seizure are felt; confusion, lack of consciousness, exhaustion, loss of bowel/bladder control, anxiety, etc.

Question 24

Ptosis

Answer 24

Drooping eyelid; sometimes seen with myasthenia gravis

Picture

Question 25

Pull test

Answer 25

A test when assessing for s/s of Parkinson’s disease

Description video

Question 26

Status epilepticus

Answer 26

Continuing series of seizures without recovery period; life-threatening; biggest concern with tonic-clonic; respiratory arrest/hypoxia/brain damage/death; airway is priority; IV lorazepam or diazepam, drug of choice.

Question 27

Tensilon Test

Answer 27

Done to diagnose myasthenia gravis; “tensilon’s” generic name is edrophonium & it is an acetylcholineserase inhibitor; onset = 30-45 second/duration = 5-10 minutes; given IV & watch eyelids; ptosis will improve if r/t MG.

Question 28

Thymectomy

Answer 28

Removal of the thymus; treatment for myasthenia gravis

Question 29

Vagal nerve stimulator

Answer 29

For refractory seizures

See Explanation