Neurology AI Flashcards
How can abnormal eye movement be observed if the vestibular system is challenged?
By changing the head position or putting the patient on its back.
What is the purpose of testing corneal sensation?
To assess the response to touching the cornea and observe globe retraction and/or blink.
Which cranial nerves are involved in corneal sensation?
CN V (afferent pathway) and CN II and CN VI (efferent pathways).
How can the response to stimulation of the nasal mucosa be evaluated?
By touching the nasal mucosa and observing withdrawal of the head.
What cranial nerves are involved in the response to stimulation of the nasal mucosa?
CN V (afferent pathway) and a response.
What is the purpose of testing jaw tone?
To assess the resistance of the jaw to opening the mouth.
How can tongue movement be assessed?
By observing tongue movement and symmetry.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for tongue movement?
CN XII
How can gagging and swallowing be evaluated?
By offering food or stimulating the hyoid bone externally.
Which cranial nerves are involved in gagging and swallowing?
CN IX, X, XI
Why is evaluating the olfactory nerve challenging?
Because it remains subjective and not commonly performed.
What additional information may be required to evaluate the olfactory nerve?
A history of anorexia and other neurological signs.
How is the list of differential diagnoses formulated?
Based on signalment, onset, progression, and response to therapy.
What are the possible categories for differential diagnoses (excluding VITAMIND and DAMNITV)?
Vascular, Inflammatory, Trauma/toxin, Anomalous, Metabolic, Idiopathic, Neoplastic/nutritional, Degenerative.
What are the different localizations for neurological abnormalities?
Intracranial (forebrain, brainstem, and cerebellar), spinal (C1-C5, C6-T2, T3-L3, L4-S2), and neuromuscular.
What does a forebrain syndrome include?
Cerebrum (cerebrocortical grey matter, cerebral white matter, and basal nuclei) and diencephalon.
What is the main function of the cerebral cortex?
Behavior, vision, hearing, fine motor activity, and conscious perception of touch, pain, temperature, and body position.
What is the main function of the cerebral white matter?
Conveying motor and sensory function instructions.
What is the main function of the basal nuclei?
Muscle tone and initiation/control of voluntary motor activity.
What is the main function of the diencephalon?
Sensory integration, control of autonomic and endocrine function, sleep, consciousness, olfactory functions, vision, and pupillary light reflex.
What are the possible neurological examination findings in a forebrain syndrome?
Altered mentation/changes in behavior, possible contralateral lack/decreased menace, normal gait and possible abnormal posture, possible contralateral deficits in posture, normal to increased contralateral muscle tone, facial and body contralateral absent to decreased sensation, seizures/hemi-neglect syndrome, cervical hyperaesthesia, rarely movement disorders.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
To regulate and coordinate motor activity, maintain equilibrium, and preserve normal body position at rest or in motion.
What are the possible neurological examination findings in a cerebellar syndrome?
Ipsilateral menace deficits, vestibular signs/anisocoria, intention tremors/hypermetria, ataxia/broad base stance, delayed initiation/exaggerated proprioception, normal to increased spinal reflexes/ upper motor neuron (UMN) muscle tone.
What are the clinical signs of proprioceptive ataxia?
Loss of awareness of limb position in space.