Neurology Flashcards
What is multiple sclerosis?
An autoimmune demyelinating disease
Give 6 risk factors for MS
Race - caucasian Age - 20-40yrs Female Family history Climate - furthest from equator Vit D levels (low)
What type of hypersensitivity is MS?
Type 4
In MS B cells produce autoantibodies against which cells?
Oligodendrocytes
What forms where myelin is lost + can be seen on MRI?
Plaques
Name the 3 clinical courses of MS
- Relapsing and remitting
- Secondary progressive
- Primary progressive
Describe relapsing and remitting MS
Random attacks over a number of years, recover virtually completely between attacks
Describe secondary progressive MS
After 6-10yrs, relapsing and remitting attacks are followed by incomplete recovery and a cumulative loss of function and disability
Describe primary progressive MS
There is a slow, unstoppable decline in neurological function from disease onset
Which group of patients are more likely to present with primary progressive MS?
45yrs + (late onset)
What sensory symptoms may someone with MS experience?
Numbness
Paraesthesia
Dysaethesia
Lhermitte’s sign
What is Lhermitte’s sign?
Neck flexion (looking down) causes a shock-like sensation in the limbs
What motor symptoms may someone with MS have?
Monoparaesis / paraparaesis
Increased tone
Pyramidal distribution weakness
What symptom would an optic nerve lesion cause?
Optic neuritis
What symtpoms are caused by lesions in the brain stem?
Diplopia
Nystagmus
Vertigo
What symtpoms are caused by lesions in the cerebellum?
Ataxic gait
Limb incoordination
Intention tremor
Dysarthria
Which 3 symptoms make up Charcot’s neurological triad for MS?
- Dysarthria
- Intention tremor
- Nystagmus
