Neurological Pathophysiology

Question 1

1) What is Neurocognitive disorders (dementia)?

2) Risk factors of Neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer Disease

3) Pathophysiology of Neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer Disease

4) Symptoms of Neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer Disease

5) Course/progression of Neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer Disease

6) Other reasons for Neurocognitive disorders

Answer 1

1) Decreased mental function severe enough to interfere with normal daily life and is not a part of normal aging

2) Increased age, women, mutations in amyloid precursor, genetics

3) Atrophy and loss of neurons. Neurotransmitter disruption, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation. Decreased cholinergic transmission -> defects. Classic microscopic finding Neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques (accumulation of A-beta)

4) Decreased short term memory, Language difficulties, Change in behaviour. Depression, agitation, sleep disorder

5) Progressive course. Various stages

6) Vascular disease, Traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia, Huntington, HIV

Question 2

1) What is done to test somatosensory function? (The ability to feel stimuli)

2) How is motor function assessed?

Answer 2

1) Pinpoint against sole of food = Testing withdrawal. Touching 2 sharp points in an area = Seeing when the patient feels 2 and 1

2) Observe patient, moving and at rest. Observe for involuntary movements. Muscle characteristics (Strength, Size and Tone)

Question 3

1) The 2 types of peripheral nerve injury

2) What causes the mononeuropathy Carpal tunnel syndrome?

3) Clinical manifestations of Carpal tunnel syndrome

4) Describe the polyneuropathy Guillan-Barré syndrome

5) Clinical manifestations of Guillan-Barré syndrome

6) What can cause Back pain?

7) Describe Herniated Intervertebral Disk

Answer 3

1) Segmental demyelination and Axonal degeneration

2) Compression, repetitive use of wrist

3) Pain (worse at night), numbness of thumb, weakness in precision grip

4) Acute immune-mediated. Leukocytes+Monocytes in capillaries of peripheral nerves, edema in endoneurial compartment, demyelination of spinal roots

5) Muscle weakness, paralysis, respiratory muscles can be affected -> ventilator is needed, pain

6) Heavy lifting, obesity, problems in spinal structures, age-related changes, disk herniation

7) Etiology Trauma, aging, degenerative disorders. Manifestations Symptoms from innervated area, pain, numbness