Neurological Flashcards
myasthenia gravis
Long-term neuromuscular junction disease; communication between nerves and muscles breaks down. Causes muscles under voluntary control to feel weak and get tired quickly; eyes, face, swallowing. Can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble talking, and trouble walking
frontotemporal dementia
umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain where portions of these lobes shrink (atrophy); associated with personality, behavior, language. Often misdiagnosed as Alzheimers/ psychiatric problem.
extrapyramidal symptoms
aka “Drug induced movement disorders”. Describe the side effects caused by certain antipsychotic and other drugs. These side effects include: involuntary or uncontrollable movements, tremors, muscle contractions, restlessness, irritability
akathisia
Akathisia is a side effect of older, first-generation antipsychotic drugs used to treat mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; uncontrollable urge to move and a sense of restlessness. To relieve the urge, they engage in repetitive movements (rocking, pacing, panic, irritability)
encephalomalacia
cerebral softening; a localized softening, due to bleeding or inflammation, often stroke. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different stages of the disease progress, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white softening
dysarthria
motor speech disorder where damage to your nervous system causes the muscles that produce speech to become paralyzed or weakened. The damage may make it difficult to control your tongue or voice box, causing you to slur words. Can be inherited or acquired via Parkinson’s or brain damage (stroke)
cogwheeling/ Cogwheel phenomenom
A type of rigidity seen in people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s often an early symptom used for diagnosis. Your muscle will be stiff, like in other forms of rigidity. But you might also have tremors in the same muscle when it’s at rest. Most commonly in the arms.
Dix-Hallpike maneuver
Test to diagnose BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) - a common type of vertigo; a common inner ear disorder that causes a sudden spinning sensation when you move your head into certain positions. It consists of a series of movements to perform while a provider observes the response.
saphenous nerve
Runs down the back of the leg; enables sensation in the knee, lower leg, foot, and ankle. Injuries are uncommon due to deep position.
TPJ Temporoparietal junction
Srea of the brain where the temporal and parietal lobes meet, at the posterior end of the lateral sulcus. The TPJ incorporates information from the thalamus and the limbic system as well as from the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems
tentorium cerebelli
an extension of the dura mater between the inferior aspect of the occipital lobes and the superior aspect of the cerebellum. The free border of the gives passage to the midbrain.
thalamus
Large mass of gray matter, dual lobed topmost part of forebrain. Relaying of sensory signals, including motor signals to the cerebral cortex and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
theta brain waves
Occur when you’re sleeping or dreaming, but they don’t occur during the deepest phases of sleep. Can also occur when you’re awake, but in a very deeply relaxed state of mind; a state that some may describe as “autopilot.”
transsphenoidal surgery
endoscope or surgical instruments are inserted into the brain via the sphenoid bone in the nose into the sinus cavity. Removes tumors of the pituitary gland.
ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) shunt
Surgical procedure primarily treating hydrocephalus (excess CSF in the brains ventricles). Most often in babies or older aldults. Drains and relieves pressure on the brain.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Brain and memory disorder that requires immediate treatment. Due to a severe lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which causes brain damage. B1 is an essential vitamin that your body uses to convert food into energy. Chronic alcohol use can effect absorption.
absence (neurological)
seizure involving brief loss of consciousness without motor involvement
agnosia
any loss of neurological function associated with interpretation of sensory information
Alzheimer disease
Disease of structural changes in the brain; resulting in irreversible deterioration that progresses from forgetfulness, disorientation, loss of intellect fxning, total disability, death.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS
condition of progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells; progress from muscle weakness in extremities/speech/swallowing/breathing to total paralysis
anorexia nervosa
severe disturbance in eating behavior caused by abnormal perceptions of one’s own body weight
aphasia
impaired/absent comprehension or production of/communication by: speech, writing, or signs; due to acquired lesion of dominant cerebral hemisphere
astereognosis
inability to judge the form of an object by touch
atopognosis
inability to locate sensation properly; locate a point of body touched
