Neuro Terminology Flashcards
Athetosis
slow, twisting, and writhing movements that are large in amplitude.
Seen in face, tongue, trunk, and extremiteis
common finding in several forms of CP secondary to basal ganglia pathology
Peripheral movements occur without central stability
Chorea
hyperkinesia with brief, irregular contractions that are rapid
secondary to damage to caudate nucleus (basal ganglia)
“fidgeting”
Huntington’s
Ballismus
form of chorea. flailing movements of limbs secondary to damage of the subthalamic nucleus
Dystonia
sustained m contractions
causes twisting, abnormal postures, and repetitive movements
Common diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease, CP, encephalitis
Tics
sudden, brief, repetitive coordinated movements. Tourette syndrome
Tremors
involuntary, rhythmic, oscillaotry movements
3 types:
- Resting (pill rolling - Parkinson’s)
- Postural (hyperthyroidism, fatigue or anxiety, or beneign essential tremor)
- Intentional aka kinetic (MS) likely indicated lesion in cerebellum
Akinesia
The inability to initiate movement; commonly seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Ataxia
The inability to perform coordinated movements.
Typically seen with damage from cerebellum 
Asthenia
Generalized weakness, typically secondary to cerebellum pathology
Bradykinesia
Movement that is very slow.
Clasp-knife response:
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.
Seen is UMN lesion
Clonus
involuntary alternating spasmodic contraction of a muscle precipitated by a quick stretch reflex.
A characteristic of an upper motor neuron lesion;
Cogwheel rigidity
A form of rigidity where resistance to movement has a phasic quality to it; often seen with Parkinson’s disease.
Dysdiadochokinesia
The inability to perform rapidly alternating movements.
inappropriate timing of muscle firing and difficulty with cessation of ongoing movement. Common tests for dysdiadochokinesia include rapid supination and pronation of the forearms, alternating finger to nose, and altering the speed and direction of walking
From cerebellar pathology I believe
Dysmetria
The inability to control the range of a movement and the force of muscular activity.
Fasciculation
A muscular twitch that is caused by random discharge of a lower motor neuron and its muscle fibers;
lower motor neuron disease,
But… can be benign.
Hemiballism
An involuntary and violent movement of a large body part.
Kinesthesia
The ability to perceive the direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part.
Lead pipe rigidity
A form of rigidity where there is uniform and constant resistance to range of motion; often associated with lesions of the basal ganglia.
Rigidity
A state of severe hypertonicity where a sustained muscle contraction does not allow for any movement at a specified joint.
Adam’s closed loop theory
So using old movement patterns to compare to current movements
Giles - The first attempt at the creation of a comprehensive motor learning theory with the premise of sensory feedback as an ongoing process for the nervous system to compare current movement with stored information on memory of past movement;
high emphasis on the concept of practice.
Schmidt’s schema theory
This theory was created in response to the limitations of the closed loop theory. Its main construct relies on open loop control processes and a motor program concept; promotes clinical value of feedback and importance of variation with practice.
Cognitive Stage of motor learning
This is the initial stage of learning where there is a high concentration of conscious processing of information.
The person will acquire information regarding the goal of the activity and begin to problem solve as to how to attain the goal. A controlled environment is ideal for learning during this stage and participation is a must for the person to progress.
Characterized by:
* large amount of errors
* inconsistent attempts
* repetition of effort allows for improvement in strategies
* inconsistent performance
* high degree of cognitive work: listening, observing, and processing feedback
Associative Stage of motor learning
This is the intermediate stage of learning where a person is able to more independently distinguish correct versus incorrect performance.
The person is linking the feedback that has been received with the movement that has been performed and the ultimate goal.
A controlled environment is helpful but at this stage, the person can progress to a less structured or more open environment.
Avoid excessive external feedback as the person should have improved internal or proprioceptive feedback for the task at hand.
Characterized by:
* decreased errors with new skill performance
* decreased need for concentration and cognition regarding the activity
* skill refinement
* increased coordination of movement
* large amount of practice yields refinement of the motor program surrounding the activity