Neuro Notes

Question 1

what is the mechanism of action of anticonvulsants

Answer 1

they inhibit calcium channels

Question 2

name an excitatory/depolarising synapse

Answer 2

glutamate

Question 3

which synapse is anion selective (-ive charge)

Answer 3

GABA

Question 4

what is the mechanism of action of Benzos

Answer 4

increase Cl- entry to enhance initiation of inhibitory synapses
enhance the effect of GABA

Question 5

which clinical syndrome is seen with ‘same side paralysis, opposite side pain’

Answer 5

brown sequard syndrome

Question 6

where is the somatosensory cortex located

Answer 6

the post central gyrus

Question 7

what do gamma motor neurones innervate and what is the reflex called

Answer 7

the muscle spindle fibres

the myotactic reflex

Question 8

what do alpha motor neurones innervate

Answer 8

innervate a bulk of muscle fibres within a muscle

Question 9

define a motor unit

Answer 9

consists of an alpha motor neurone and all the skeletal muscle fibres it innervates

Question 10

within the ventral horn, where do flexor LMNs sit in relation to the extensor LMNs

Answer 10

Flexor LMNs sit Far away - flexor LMNs sit Dorsal to the extensor LMNs in the ventral horn

Question 11

what is the myotactic reflex mediated by

Answer 11

the release of glutamate

Question 12

what are the 3 main pathologies seen in Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 12

1. neurofibrillary tangles (intracellular TAU PROTEIN)
2. senile plaques (extracellular)
3. loss of cortical neurones

Question 13

which area of the brain is affected 1st in Alzheimer’s dementia

Answer 13

nucleus basalis of meynart

the main site of cholinergic initiation in the brain

Question 14

what are the senile plaques in Alzheimer’s disease made of

Answer 14

amyloid B protein

Question 15

which congenital disorder sees Alzheimer’s onset in 2rd/4th decade

Answer 15

Downs syndrome

Question 16

where do most berry aneurysms occur

Answer 16

arterial bifurcations (esp the internal carotid artery)

Question 17

what is the strongest risk factor for vascular dementia

Answer 17

hypertension

Question 18

what are lewy bodies made of

Answer 18

alpha synuclein

Question 19

What are the 3 most common causes of bacterial meningitis in neonates

Answer 19

1. listeria
2. Group B strep
3. E.Coli

Question 20

What are the 3 most common causes of bacterial meningitis in immunocompromised

Answer 20

1. strep pneumoniae
2. Neisseria meningitidis
3. listeria

Question 21

What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children <4y/o

Answer 21

haemophilus influenza B

Question 22

What are the 2 most common causes of bacterial meningitis in >21y/o

Answer 22

1st = Strep pneumonia 
2nd = neisseria meningitidis

Question 23

why is levodopa not used in <70y/o

Answer 23

can build up tolerance

high risk of dyskinesia

Question 24

what is the most common cause of degenerative Parkinson’s

Answer 24

multi system atrophy

Question 25

in a pyramidal lesion, are arm and leg flexors or extensors weakened

Answer 25

arm extensors are weakened

leg flexors are weakened

Question 26

which lobe is commonly involved in progressive supranuclear palsy and what clinical picture does this cause

Answer 26

frontal lobe

causes apathy, disinhibition and impaired reasoning

Question 27

if listeria is suspected in bacterial meningitis, what else is added to the IV ceftriexone

Answer 27

IV amoxicillin

Question 28

what is an extra dural haematoma caused by

Answer 28

middle meningeal artery rupture

Question 29

which brain injury can present with a lucid interval

Answer 29

extra dural haematoma

Question 30

which haematoma is most likely to affect bridging veins

Answer 30

subdural haematoma

Question 31

when is carbamazepine used as epilepsy treatment

Answer 31

in focal seizures

Question 32

which 2 contraceptive drugs lose their efficacy when carbamazapine is used

Answer 32

POP and progesterone implant

Question 33

which type of epilepsy seizure is ethusixamide used in

Answer 33

absence seizures

Question 34

which antiepileptic drug can make absence seizures worse

Answer 34

carbamazepine

Question 35

what does the ‘HEAD’ acronym stand in relation to signs of an epileptic seizure in temporal lobe

Answer 35

Hallucinations
Epigastric rising motion
Automatisms (lip smacking, grabbing, plucking)
De ja vu, postical dysphasia

Question 36

what signs would suggest a seizure has occurred in the parietal lobe

Answer 36

sensory parasthesia (tingling/numbness)

Question 37

postical weakness is suggestive of a seizure in which area

Answer 37

frontal lobe

motor signs are usually seen if there is a seizure in this area

Question 38

which are the only 2 cranial nerves that don’t receive bilateral innervation from the corticobulbar nerve

Answer 38

7 and 11

Question 39

total anterior circulation infarct presents with how Many of the criteria for stroke

Answer 39

all 3!

Question 40

treatment for a tension headache

Answer 40

amitryptiline

Question 41

saccular berry aneurysms cause what ?

Answer 41

subarachnoid haemorrhage

Question 42

what’s the most common cause of meningitis in ages 10-21

Answer 42

neisseria meningitidis