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
