Neurological disease Flashcards
How common is multiple sclerosis?
- 80;100,000
- most common CNS disorder of the young
What causes multiple sclerosis?
- DEMYELINATION of axons
- happens due to changes in the myelin sheath around the nerve axons
- inflammatory change, can be seen in MRI scans
What category of patients with MS have it most severely?
women with 4th decade onset most severe
What is the aetiology of multiple sclerosis?
- susceptibility acquired during childhood
- ? altered host reaction to an infective agent ?
- background genetic/immune factors
What groups is MS more common in?
identical twins and amongst immediate family members
In an MRI of an MS patient, what are the white areas?
plaques where there has been damage
In an MRI of an MS patient, what are the red areas?
inflammatory processes
What are the symptoms of MS?
- muscle weakness
- visual disturbance
- paraesthesia
- autonomic dysfunction
- dysarthria
- pain
- balance/hearing loss
What are the signs of MS?
- muscle weakness
- spasticity
- altered reflexes
- tremor (intention)
- optic atrophy
- proprioceptive loss
- loss of touch
In MS when does muscle spasticity occur?
happens when there is an upper motor neurone lesion
What are the MS investigations?
- history and examination
- MRI
- CSF analysis
- reduced lymphocytes
- increased IgG protein
- Visual Evoked Potentials
- ALWAYS reduced after optic neuritis
When investigating MS what can an MRI show?
areas of plaques within the brain where there has been previous damage
What are the 2 types of MS?
- relapsing and remitting
- primary progressive type
What is relapsing and remitting type MS?
acute exacerbating and periods of respite
- damage builds up with each episode
- many will eventually develop progressive form (“secondary progressive”)
What is primary progressive type MS?
slow steady progressive deterioration
- cumulative neurological damage
What is the outcome of MS?
- incurable
- gradual decline
How is MS treated?
- no effective treatment
- acute exacerbations - steroid treatment
- symptomatic management
- antibiotics, antispasmodics, analgesia, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
What can be used to treat relapsing and remitting type MS?
Disease modifying therapies (may also slow some progressive forms)
- cladribine
- siponomod
- ocrelizumab
do not reverse damage that has already occurred
What can stem cell transplants be used for in MS?
‘reboot’ the immune system
What are the dental aspects of MS?
- limited mobility and psychological disorders
- treat under LA - GA may hasten onset of damage within the brain
- orofacial motor and sensory disturbance
- chronic orofacial pain possible
- enhanced TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA risk
What does motor neurone disease cause?
degeneration of the motor nerves in anterior horns of the corticospinal tract in the spinal cord
can also effect the motor nuclei in the brain stem, often called the bulbar motor nuclei in the cranial nerves
When do patient’s develop motor neurone disease?
30-60yrs
What is the progression of motor neurone disease?
unremitting and progressing, most patients die within 3 years of diagnosis
What does the progressive loss of motor function in MND affect?
- limbs
- intercostal
- diaphragm
- motor cranial nerves VII-XII
What is death in MND due to?
- ventilation failure
- aspiration pneumonia (swallowing/coughing difficulties)
What might the patient notice when they are first developing MND?
- weakness (ankle or leg, tripping, difficulty with stairs)
- slurred speech (difficulty swallowing)
- a weak grip
- muscle cramps and twitches
- weight loss
- emotional lability
What is the treatment for MND?
- NONE effective
- pshyio and occupation therapy aim to maintain function for as long as possible
- aspiration prevention - PEG tube feeding, reduce saliva
- Riluzole - some get 6-9 months life extension
What are the dental aspects of MND?
- difficulty in acceptance of dental care - muscle weakness of head and neck
- realistic treatment planning - short life expectancy
- drooling and swallowing difficulties
What is Parkinson’s disease due to?
lack of neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
degeneration fo dopaminergic neurones in the basal ganglia of the substantia nigra leads to difficulty passing messages from the cortex (thinking) to the cerebellum and brain stem (doing)
- can lead to delays in the pt doing or understanding things
underlying cause for this unknown
What are the clinical signs of Parkinson’s disease?
- bradykinesia - slow movement, and slow initiation of movement
- rigidity - increased muscle tone
- tremor - slow amplitude (tremor at rest)
can progress to on/off movement disorder after treatment
What are some of the non-motor effects of Parkinson’s disease?
- impaired gait and falls
- impaired use of upper limbs
- mask-like face
- swallowing problems
What are the treatments for Parkinson’s disease?
physio and occupational therapy
- work to maintain function at as high a level for as long as possible
medicinal
surgical
What can be one of the issues with Parkinson’s medications?
can cause abnormal compulsions and lead to issues with gambling
What medications can be used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease?
dopamine
- levadopa
dopamine analogues
- tablets - promipexole, selegiline
- injection - apomorphine - SC
- infusion - duodopa - directly into the gut
What surgical treatment can be done for Parkinson’s disease?
stereotactic surgery - deep brain stimulation
stem cell transplant into substantia nigra?
What are the dental aspects of Parkinson’s disease?
- difficulty accepting treatment
- tremor at rest
- often facial tremor reduces on purposeful movements e.g. mouth opening
- difficulties with cooperation
- dry mouth - anticholinergic effect of the drugs
- drug interactions?
What is a stroke?
“acute focal neurological deficit resulting from cerebrovascular disease and lasting more than 24hrs or causing earlier death”
What does a stoke cause?
- blockage of blood delivery of oxygen to the brain tissue leading to hypoxia and eventually death of brain tissue
- infarction of tissue or haemorrhage into the brain tissue can also occur which increases pressure on brain
What are the types of stroke?
- ischaemic stroke or haemorhhagic stroke
- TIA (transient ischaemic attack)
What is a TIA?
Happens when there is a rapid loss of function but then a rapid recovery of function so that the patient within 24hrs has recovered all of the neurological issues which were lost
What do TIAs suggest?
issues within the blood vessels, increased risk of proper stroke in the future
What acronym is used to know what to look for when considering a stroke?
FAST - facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time
What is the incidence of TIA compared to stroke?
25% that of stroke