Neurological Problems Flashcards
1st line pharmacological treatment for muscle cramps in patient with motor neurone disease?
quinine
(2nd line is baclofen)
(other options-tizanidine, gabapentin, dantrolene)
Pharmacological treatments for muscle stiffness/spasticity/hypertonia associated with motor neurone disease?
baclofen, tizanidine, gabapentin, dantrolene
1st line pharmacological tx for excessive salivation in pt with motor neurone disease and cognitive impairment?
glycopyrrolate (glycopyrronium) (anticholinergic)
if pt did not have cognitive impairment then hyoscine hydrobromide patch + amitriptyline OR atropine drops 0.5% SL, would be 1st line
Which investigation would be most useful to differentiate between a benign essential tremor and a tremor associated with Parkinson’s disease if unable to differentiate clinically?
SPECT-single photon emission CT
Only licensed drug treatment in UK for MND?
Riluzole-started at 50mg BD
this is a disease modifying drug and acts to inhibit the release of glutamate
only licensed for ALS
Blood test monitoring for Riluzole?
Monthly FBC and LFTs in first 3 months, then every 3 months for further 9 months, then annually
Which are the only treatments to improve prognosis in MND?
Riluzole and NIV
DVLA guidance for drivers of cars who have had a first unprovoked epileptic seizure or a single isolated seizure?
Must not drive for 6 months, risk of recurrence must be less than 20% or can’t drive for 1 year
(group 2 drivers-5 years-must be seizure free for 5 years with normal investigations and seizure risk less than 2% per year)
Must notify DVLA
How long must patients with established epilepsy be seizure free for to continue driving a car?
1 year (can be on medication) (or pattern of seizures established for 1 year where no effect on level of consciousness or ability to act)
(group 2 drivers-10 years-must be fit free without medication)
Must notify DVLA
How long must patients who drive cars not drive for if had a seizure while asleep?
1 year
unless hx or pattern of seizures occurring only ever while asleep has been established over course of at least 1 year from date of 1st sleep seizure or pattern established over 3 years if pt previously had seizures whilst awake
DVLA guidance for drivers with epilepsy with regards to medication changes or withdrawal?
for group 1 drivers, must not drive during changes or withdrawal and for 6 months after their last dose
if a seizure occurs during changes or withdrawal then licence will be revoked for 1 year.
n/a to group 2 drivers-unable to drive if on medication, must be seizure free for 10 years not medicated
Lamotrigine is 2nd line tx for generalised tonic-clonic seizures, but what type of seizures might it exacerbate?
myoclonic
What type of seizures is ethosuximide a 1st line tx option for?
absence seizures (type of generalised)
Which drug has a specific role in treating epilepsy associated with menstruation?
Acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)
Which is the most common atypical parkinsonian syndrome?
PSP-progressive supranuclear palsy
*vertical gaze palsy (downward), frequent falls especially backward, subtle personality changes
3 commonest presentations of multisystem atrophy (MSA)?
- urogenital dysfunction-ED, incontinence
- postural hypotension
- ataxia
Non-motor sx associated with essential tremor?
cognitive decline
mental health problems
Pharmacological tx of essential tremor?
if functional disability can treat with a beta blocker (propranolol, atenolol)
or primidone
Why should a throat swab be considered with abrupt onset tics in a child or adolescent patient?
to check for streptococcus-look for PANDAS-paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections
Most helpful intervention for mild tics?
habit reversal training
What drugs can be offered as an adjunct to levodopa to patients with PD who have developed dyskinesia or motor fluctuations despite optimal dose of levodopa therapy?
dopamine agonists
MAO-B inhibitors
COMT inhibitors
Examples of non-ergot derived dopamine agonists?
ropinirole
rotigotine
pramipexole
Examples of ergot derived dopamine agonists?
bromocriptine
cabergoline
pergolide
*rarely used now due to risk of fibrotic reactions
Examples of MAO-B inhibtors?
Rasagiline
Selegiline
Examples of COMT inhibitors?
Entacapone
Opicapone
Tolcapone
Indications for antimuscarinic drugs in parkinsonism?
for drug-induced parkinsonism
example-procyclidine, can be given for side effects induced by anti-psychotics, BUT has no improvement on tardive dyskinesia
Antimuscarinics should NOT be used in PD
Management of impulse control disorders in patients with PD?
if on dopamine agonist then gradually reduce the dose
if modifying dopaminergic therapy is not effective offer specialist CBT targeted at impulse control
Pharmacological tx of excessive daytime sleepiness in PD?
consider modafinil if a detailed sleep hx has excluded reversible pharmacological and physical causes
note NOT to be given to pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant-risk of congenital malformations
1st line pharmacological tx of postural hypotension in patients with PD?
midodrine
Pharmacological tx of hallucinations and delusions in patients with PD?
consider quetiapine if no cognitive impairment
if standard tx not effective consider clozapine-note need to register with patient monitoring service