Neuro Missed Questions Flashcards
Which type of disease is characterized by a lesion found in descending motor tracts within the cerebral motor cortex, internal capsule, brainstem or spinal cord, and is characterized by weakness of involved muscles, hypertonicity, hyperreflexia, mild disuse atrophy, and abnormal reflexes?
Upper Motor Neuron Disease
Which type of disease is characterized by a lesion that affects nerves or their axons at or below the level of the brainstem, usually within the “final common pathway”, and is characterized by flaccidity or weakness of the involved muscles, decreased tone, fasciculations, muscle atrophy, and decreased or absent reflexes?
Lower Motor Neuron Disease
What is Athetosis?
A movement disorder that presents with slow, twisting, and writhing movements that are large in amplitude. It is a common finding in several forms of cerebral palsy secondary to basal ganglia pathology.
What is Chorea?
A form of hyperkinesia that presents with brief, irregular contractions that are rapid, but not to the degree of myoclonic jerks. It is often equated to “fidgeting”. Huntington’s disease is an example of a pathology that presents with chorea.
What is Dystonia?
A syndrome of sustained muscle contractions that frequently causes twisting, abnormal postures, and repetitive movements. All muscles can be affected and the involuntary movements are often accentuated during volitional movement and with progression, can produce overflow. Common diagnoses that may include dystonia are Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and encephalitits.
What are Tics?
Sudden, brief, repetitive coordinated movements that will usually occur at irregular intervals. Tourette syndrome is an example of a pathology that presents with tics.
What are Tremors?
Involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements that are typically classified into three groupings:
-Resting: tremors are observable at rest and may or may not disappear with movement. An example is the pill-rolling tremor associated with Parkinson’s Disease.
-Postural: tremors are observable during a voluntary contraction to maintain a posture. Examples include the rapid tremor associated with hyperthyroidism, fatigue or anxiety, and benign essential tremor.
-Intension: tremors are absent at rest, but observable with activity and typically increase as the target approaches. These tremors likely indicate a lesion of the cerebellum or its efferent pathways and are typically seen with multiple sclerosis.
Definition: The inability to initiate movement; commonly seen in patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Akinesia
Definition: Generalized weakness, typically secondary to cerebellar pathology
Asthenia
Definition: The inability to perform coordinated movements
Ataxia
Definition: A condition that presents with involuntary movements combined with instability of posture. Peripheral movements occur without central stability
Athetosis
Definition: Movement that is very slow
Bradykinesia
Definition: Movements that are sudden, random, and involuntary
Chorea
Definition: A form of resistance seen during range of motion of a hypertonic joint where there is greatest resistance at the initiation of range that lessens with movement through the range of motion
Clasp-Knife Response
Definition: A characteristic of an upper motor neuron lesion; involuntary alternating spasmodic contraction of a muscle precipitated by a quick stretch reflex
Clonus
Definition: A form of rigidity where resistance to movement has a phasic quality to it; often seen with Parkinson’s Disease
Cogwheel Rigidity
Definition: The inability to perform rapidly alternating movements
Disdiadochokinesia
Definition: The inability to control the range of a movement and the force of muscular activity
Dysmetria
Definition: Closely related to athetosis, however, there is larger axial muscle involvement rather than appendicular muscles
Dystonia
Definition: Closely related to athetosis, however, there is larger axial muscle involvement rather than appendicular muscles
Dystonia
Definition: A muscular twitch that is caused by random discharge of a lower motor neuron and its muscle fibers; suggests lower motor neuron disease, however, can be benign
Fasciculation
Definition: An involuntary and violent movement of a large body part
Hemiballism
Definition: The inability to perceive the direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part
Kinesthesia
Definition: A form of rigidity where there is uniform and constant resistance to range of motion; often associated with lesions of the basal ganglia
Lead Pipe Rigidity
Definition: A state of severe hypertonicity where a sustained muscle contraction does not allow for any movement at a specific joint
Rigidity
Definition: Involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements secondary to a basal ganglia lesion. There are various classifications secondary to specific etiology.
Tremor
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
A degenerative disorder characterized by a decrease in the production of dopamine in the basal ganglia, resulting in decreased modulation and control of voluntary movement
What is the most common early sign of Parkinson’s Disease?
A resting tremor in the hands or feet known as a “pill-rolling tremor”
How old are the majority of Parkinson’s Disease patients?
50-79
What should physical therapy interventions include for patients with Parkinson’s Disease?
Endurance, Strength, and functional mobility
What may progression of Parkinson’s Disease result in?
Dysphagia, difficulty with speech, and pulmonary impairment
What is Dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing food or drink
What do many patients with Parkinson’s Disease end up dying from?
Complications of Bronchopneumonia
What is Spina Bifida, where does it occur, and what does it affect?
A developmental abnormality due to insufficient closure of the neural tube by the 28th day of gestation
It usually occurs in the lower thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions
It affects the central nervous, musculoskeletal, and urinary systems
