Neuromuscular Disorders Flashcards
Disease caused by an absence of hexosaminidase (Hex-A)
Tay Sach’s Disease
Enzyme needed to break down a particular lipid in the brain and CNS
Hexosaminidase (Hex-A)
Tay Sach’s is an autosomal _________ disease
Recessive
Tay Sach’s disease primarily impacts isolated and inbred groups/cultures such as
Amish, Cajun, Eastern European Jewish heritage
What is the chance of an offspring inheriting an autosomal recessive disease?
25% (1 in 4)
Tay Sach’s Disease behaviors
Progressive neurological deterioration, blindness, cherry red spot on macula
Tay Sach’s Disease onset
Most commonly early onset (infant) with death usually before age 4
progressive symptoms of the CNS related to Tay Sach’s Disease
Decreased muscle tone, visual difficulties, seizures
T or F: males and females are affected equally with an autosomal recessive disorder
True
Tay Sach’s disease diagnosis
Determine activity of Hex-A (serum, leukocytes, tears, body tissue), genetic testing
Tay Sach’s disease treatment
Supportive (PT, OT, neurology, anticonvulsants, palliative care)
T or F: there is a cure for Tay Sach’s Disease
False
A chronic and progressive autosomal dominant disease of the nervous system
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease affects men and women ___-___ years old
35-45
Huntington’s Disease symptoms are caused by a deficiency of what two neurotransmitters?
Acetylcholine and GABA
The deficiency of acetylcholine and GABA in Huntington’s Disease causes premature death of cells in the
Basal ganglia, cortex, cerebellum
The basal ganglia play a role in
Movement
The cerebral cortex plays a role in
Thinking, memory, judgement, perception
The cerebellum plays a role in
Voluntary muscle activity
Huntington’s Disease (autosomal dominant) inheritance
50%
Huntington’s Disease behaviors
Chorea, athetosis, facial tics/grimaces, slurred speech, dementia, emotional instability
Huntington’s Disease diagnosis
Presence of behaviors, family hx, genetic testing
Management of Huntington’s Disease
Dopamine receptor blockers for chorea, antidepressants, supportive care
What is deutetrabenazine (Austedo) and what is it given for?
Dopamine receptor blocker given for chorea or involuntary movement associated with Huntington’s Disease
What medication can be given for dementia in the early stages of Huntington’s Disease?
Aricept
Huntington’s Disease supportive care
Speech, OT, PT, genetic counseling, psychiatric therapy
Lou Gerhig’s Disease is another name for
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Progressive deterioration of motor neurons in the spinal cord (anterior horn), some cranial nerves, and cerebral cortex (axon and muscular atrophy)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
What gender is most affected by ALS?
Males
General behaviors of ALS
Muscle atrophy and spasticity
ALS behaviors with lower motor neuron involvement
Muscle weakness and atrophy, fasciculations (twitching)
ALS behaviors with upper motor neuron involvement
Spasticity, hyperreflexia, (+) babinski
ALS behaviors with lower cranial nerve involvement
Drooling, speech problems
What is the ultimate cause of death in a patient with ALS?
Atrophy of respiratory muscles
ALS medical diagnosis
Electromyography (EMG), muscle biopsy
ALS medical treatment
PO Rilutek (Riluzoke; glutamate antagonist) and Radicava (edaravone) IV q14 days to slow progression
Cause of ALS
Unknown; multifactorial (neurological trauma, genetics, etc.)
An autoimmune disease characterized by a defect in transmission of impulses at the neuromuscular junction and loss of available receptors
Myasthenia Gravis
In Myasthenia Gravis, the body stops recognizing _________ receptors as part of self and attacks these receptors
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter responsible for carrying nerve impulses
Acetylcholine
Myasthenia Gravis Behaviors
Weakness and fatigue, Ptosis and double vision, mouth open, sagging jaw, expressionless face, “snarl-like” smile
Describe of Myasthenia Gravis progresses
Upper extremities affected before lower extremities; proximal (center) affected before distal (disease spreads outwardly)
What is the first sign of myasthenia gravis in 50% of affected individuals?
Ptosis/double vision
T or F: myasthenia gravis is characterized by flares and periods of remission
True
Myasthenia gravis main concern
Loss of respiratory function (mechanical ventilator may be needed)
Myasthenia Gravis medical diagnosis
Antibodies for Ach receptors
Myasthenia Gravis pharmacological management
Anticholinesterases, long-term corticosteroids (immunosuppressives)
Myasthenia Gravis can be managed by replacing plasma in the body that contains abnormal antibodies with other fluids. This is known as
Plasmapharesis
Plasmapharesis considerations
Indicated for MG crisis; not a long-term treatment or cure
Myasthenia Gravis surgical management that may remove the source of abnormal antibody production that causes the disease
Thymectomy
In patients with myasthenia gravis, ___% have complete remission of disease following a thymectomy, while ___% may have no effects
70; 30
Myasthenia Gravis complications
Cholinergic crisis, myasthenia crisis
In a patient with Myasthenia Gravis, a cholinergic crisis may be the result of
Over-medication (too much anticholinesterase)
Myasthenia Gravis cholinergic crisis treatment
Atropine, discontinue med, ventilate
Myasthenia crisis triggers
Under-medication, exacerbation of disease, illness/flu, change in meds, pregnancy
Myasthenia crisis interventions
Tensilon, ventilation, absolute quiet and bed rest
S/S of myasthenia crisis
Tachycardia, respiratory distress (cyanosis, absent cough/gag reflex, dysphasia)
Cholinergic crisis behaviors
SLUDGE: salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, GI upset, emesis; bradycardia
Degenerative disease of basal ganglia, part of the extrapyramidal system, causing an imbalance between acetylcholine and dopamine
Parkinson’s Disease
Hallmark feature of Parkinson’s Disese
Loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (in basal ganglia) and other areas of brain
The extrapyramidal system (EPS) controls
Voluntary muscle movement
In Parkinson’s Disease, Acetylcholine is too ____ and Dopamine is too ____
High; low
Goal of treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Increase supply of dopamine or block/lower acetylcholine levels
Myasthenia Gravis is 3x more common in
Females BUT if onset over age 50, then more common in males
Parkinson’s Disease is more common in _____ and incidence increased with ___
Men; Age
Most Parkinson’s Disease deaths are from
Falls and pneumonia