NEURO THEORY

Question 1

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome ?

Answer 1

It’s a progressive autoimmune, polyneuritis of the PNS which causes rapid onset muscle weakness, altered sensation, pain and sensory loss.

Question 2

What are the sign and symptoms of GBS ?

Answer 2

• Rapidly evolving ascending symmetrical limb weakness.
• Reduced Forced Vital Capacity due to respiratory muscle weakness.
• Loss of tendon reflex.
• Absent / mild sensory signs.
• Variable Autonomic Dysfunction.

Question 3

What are the different types of GBS ?

Answer 3

ACUTE INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING POLYRADICULONEUROPATHY (most common)
- muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of your body and spreads upwards.

MILLER FISHER SYNDROME (MFS)
- paralysis starts in the eyes, also associated w/unsteady gait.

ACUTE MOTOR AXONAL NEUROPATHY (AMAN)

ACUTE MOTOR SENSORY AXONAL NEUROPATHY (AMSAN)

Question 4

What is Cerebral Palsy ?

Answer 4

Permanent impairment of movement and posture resulting from a non-progressive brain disorder due to hereditary factors or events during pregnancy.

Question 5

What are the different types of Cerebral Palsy ?

Answer 5

• SPASTIC (Muscle appears soft and tight)
• DYSKINETIC (involuntary movement)
• ATAXIC (shaky movement)
• MIXED

Question 6

What is Spina Bifida ?

Answer 6

Congenital abnormality in formation of spinal vertebra. (Lack of folic acid)

Question 7

What is Hydrocephalus ?

Answer 7

Build up of fluid causing an increase pressure in the brain.

Question 8

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ?

Answer 8

Severe form of muscular dystrophy caused by a genetic deficit.

Question 9

What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

Answer 9

Its an umbrella term for a group of progressive, degenerative conditions involving selective degeneration of both UPPER + LOWER MOTOR NEURONES.

Question 10

What are the different Classification of MND ?

Answer 10

PRIMARY LATERAL SCLEROSIS (UMN)
- Tetraplegic Weakness ( TETRAPARESIS )

PROGRESSIVE BULBAR PALSY (LMN)
- Tongue atrophy / Fasciculations / Emotional Lability
- Short Life Expectancy

PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR ATROPHY (LMN)
- Weakness / Wasting / Flaccidity + Fasciculations

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (UMN+LMN)
- Weakness in UL / Wasting Thenar Eminences
- BULBAR SIGNS

Question 11

What are the Signs and Symptoms of MND ?

Answer 11

Weakness
Spasticity
Flaccidity
Clonus
Muscle Atrophy
Fasciculation
Dyspnoea

Question 12

Prognosis of MND

Answer 12

The cause is not fully understood as it’s probably a combination of genetic + environmental factors.
Its more common in MEN.

Question 13

What do Physios do to treat and help people with MND ?

Answer 13

Focus on prevention of decline / complications / QoL

Question 14

What are the different (pain) NOCICEPTORS ?

Answer 14

A DELTA FIBRES
Responsible for Fast pain / Extreme Cold

C FIBRES
Relays information of Slow pain / Hot temperature.

Question 15

What is muscle tone ?

Answer 15

A state of readiness in a muscle at rest.

The resistance passive movement.

Question 16

What produces muscle tone ?

Answer 16

NEURAL FACTORS
- Active and reflex contraction.

MECHANICAL FACTORS
- viscoelastic properties of the muscle
- physical inertia of limb

Question 17

What is Hypotonicity and what is it caused by ?

Answer 17

Diminished resistance to passive movement (LOW TONE)
- caused by a lesion on the CNS/PNS

Question 18

What is Hypertonicity and what causes it ?

Answer 18

It’s an increase resistance to passive movements.
- caused by the damage to the CNS