Neurology Flashcards
What does the dorsal column pathway include?
Proprioception
Vibration
Finetouch
What does the spinothalamic pathway include?
Pain
Temperature
What is the parasympathetic NS?
Rest and digest
What is the sympathetic NS?
Fight or flight
What does the autonomic NS include?
Parasympathetic NS
Sympathetic NS
Excitatory neurotransmitters?
Glutamate Acetylcholine Noradrenaline Serotonin Dopamine
Inhibitory neurotransmitters?
GABA
Primary headache syndromes?
Migraine Tension-type headache Cluster headache Medication overuse headache Benign cough headache Benign exertion headache Hypnic headache 'Ice pick' headache Coital/sex headache
Migraine criteria?
> 5 attacks
4-72 hours
≥ 2 of: unilateral, pulsating, moderate/severe pain. avoidance of routine physical activity
Nausea and/or vomiting OR photophobia/phonophobia
Migraine prophylaxis?
B-blockers e.g. propanolol
Anti-epileptics e.g. topiramate, sodium valproate
Anti-depressants e.g. amitryptyline
Migraine treatment?
Aspirin 900 mg
Anti-emetics e.g. metoclopramide
Triptans
Tension-type criteria?
≥ 10 episodes
30 mins-7 days
≥ 2 of: bilateral, non-pulsating, mild/moderate pain, not aggravated by routine physical activity
No nausea/vomiting
Cluster headache criteria?
≥ 5 attacks Severe/very severe unilateral 15-180 mins Ipsilateral conjunctival injection, lacrimation, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, eyelid oedema, forehead/facial sweating, mitosis/ptosis, sense of restlessness/agitation Frequency 1-8 per day
Cluster headache treatment?
High flow oxygen
SC triptan
Avoid triggers
Cluster headache prophylaxis?
Corticosteroids
Verapamil
Lithium
Secondary headache types?
Vascular: subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, subdural haematoma, stroke, intracranial venous thrombosis, carotid/vertebral direction, GCA cerebral venous thrombosis
Infection: meningitis, encephalitis
Pressure: raised ICP, low ICP
Ocular: glaucoma, optic neuritis, eye strain
Facial pain: trigeminal neuralgia
Other: hypercapnia, drugs (e.g. anti-hypertensives)
Red flags for headaches?
Explosive onset/very severe at onset Recent significant change in pattern Altered mental status Onset with exertion, cough, sexual activity Age > 50 years Immunosuppression Neurological abnormalities Decreased LOC Meningismus, fever
New, acute headache?
Intra-cranial infection
Intra-cranial haemorrhage
First presentation of benign intermittent headache
Recent, subacute headache?
Raised ICP
GCA
Transient benign headache
Longer-standing, chronic headache?
Primary headache syndrome
Headache alone?
Benign cause
Headache and nausea, vomiting, photo/phono-phobia?
Serious cause- meningitis, encephalitis
Migraine
Headache and fever, infectious features?
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Headache and neurological features?
Migraine
Serious cause