Neuropathology Flashcards
Brain lesion that causes disinhibition, deficits in concentration, orientation and judgement
Frontal lobe
Brain lesion that causes reemergence of primitive reflexes
Frontal lobe
Brain lesion that causes eyes to look toward side of lesion (ipsilateral)
Frontal eye fields
Brain lesion that causes eyes to look away from lesion
Paramedian pontine reticular formation
Brain lesion that causes impaired adduction of ipsilateral eye with nystagmus of contralateral eye with abduction
Medial longitudinal fasciculus
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Impaired adduction of ipsilateral eye with nystagmus of contralateral eye with abduction
Demyelinating disease that causes internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Multiple sclerosis
Brain lesion that causes agraphia, acalculia, finger agnosia, left-right disorientation
Dominant parietal cortex
Neuropsychological disorder characterized by dyscalculia, dysgraphia, finger agnosia and left-right disorientation
Gerstmann syndrome
Brain lesion that causes agnosia of the contralateral side of the world
Non-dominant parietal cortex
Syndrome characterized by agnosia of the contralateral side of the world
Hemispatial neglect syndrome
Inability to make new memories
Anterograde amnesia
Brain lesion that causes anterograde amnesia
Hippocampus (bilateral)
Brain lesion that causes tremor at rest, chorea, athetosis
Basal ganglia
Neurodegenerative conditions that cause resting tremors, chorea, and athetosis
Huntington and Parkinson disease
Brain lesion that causes contralateral hemiballismus
Subthalamic nucleus
Brain lesion that causes confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, nystagmus memory loss, confabulation and personality changes
Mammillary bodies (bilateral)
Neurological disorder characterized by confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, nystagmus memory loss, confabulation and personality changes
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Syndrome characterized by hyperphagia, hypersexuality, hyperorality
Kluver-Bucy syndrome
Brain lesion that causes Kluver-Bucy syndrome of disinhibited behavior
Amygdala (bilateral)
Syndrome characterized by paralysis of conjugate vertical gaze
Parinaud syndrome
Brain lesion that causes paralysis of conjugate vertical gaze
Superior colliculus
Viral infection that causes of Kluver-Bucy syndrome
HSV-1 encephalitis
Complications that cause Parinaud syndrome
Stroke, hydrocephalus, and pinealoma
Brain lesion that causes reduced levels of arousal and wakefulness
Reticular activating system (midbrain)
Brain lesion that causes intention tremor, limb ataxia, loss of balance toward side of lesion
Cerebellar hemispheres
Brain lesion that causes truncal ataxia and dysarthria
Cerebellar vermis
Degeneration of vermis is associated with what
Chronic alcohol use
After how many minutes does hypoxia begin to cause irreversible brain damage
5 minutes
Areas of brain most vulnerable to hypoxia
Hippocampus, neocortex, cerebellum, watershed areas
Which area of the brain is most vulnerable to ischemic hypoxia
Hippocampus
Best imaging modality to use to detect ischemia within 3-30 minutes
Diffusion-weighted MRI
Best imaging modality to use to detect ischemic changes within 6-24 hours
CT
Imaging modality used to exclude hemorrhage
Noncontrast CT
What needs to be done before tPA can be given in stroke patient
Exclude hemorrhage with noncontrast CT
Ischemic changes seen within 12-24 hours
Red neurons
Eosinophilic neuron with pyknotic nuclei
Red neuron
Ischemic changes seen after 24-72 hours
Necrosis plus neutrophils
Ischemic changes seen after 3-5 days
Macrophages (microglia)
Ischemic changes seen after 1-2 weeks
Reactive gliosis plus vascular proliferation
Ischemic changes seen after 2 weeks or more
Glial scar (cystic lesion with gliosis)
Type of necrosis seen after ischemic attack
Liquefactive necrosis
Types of ischemic strokes
Thrombotic, Embolic, Hypoxic
Type of stroke common in cardiovascular surgeries affecting watershed areas due to hypoperfusion or hypoxemia
Hypoxic stroke
Type of stroke due to a clot forming at site of infarction commonly affecting MCA or basilar and carotid bifurcation
Thrombotic stroke
Type of stroke affecting multiple vascular territories caused by a-fib, DVT with patent foramen ovale
Embolic stroke
Source of embolus in embolic stroke
Another part of the body
Ischemic stroke treatment
tPA if within 3.5 hours and no risk of hemorrhage
Steps to reduce risk of ischemic stroke
Give aspirin or clopidogrel, optimum control of BP, blood sugar, lipids and control conditions that increase risk (a-fib)
Brief reversible episode of focal neurologic dysfunction without acute infarction resolving within 15 minutes
Transient ischemic attack
Common locations of hemorrhagic strokes
Thalamus, basal nuclei, pons, cerebellum
Clopidogrel MOA
ADP receptor inhibitor
Common blood vessel injured in epidural hematoma
Middle meningeal artery (foramen spinosum)
Area of skull damaged in epidural hematoma
Pterion (thinnest area of lateral skull)
Skull bones that meet at pterion
Frontal, parietal, temporal, sphenoid bones
CT findings in epidural hematoma
Biconvex (lentiform) hyperdense blood collection not crossing suture lines
Common finding prior to symptoms in epidural hematoma
Lucid interval
Common cause of subdural hematoma
Rupture of bridging veins
Predisposing factors for subdural hematoma
Brain atrophy, trauma, older age, alcoholism
Common cause of subdural hematoma in infants
Shaken baby syndrome
CT findings in subdural hematoma
Crescent-shaped hemorrhage that crosses suture lines
Type of herniation seen in epidural hematoma
Transtentorial herniation causing CN III palsy
Type of herniation seen in subdural hematoma
Midline shifting of ventricles
Common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Bleeding from trauma or rupture of aneurysms
Types of aneurysms that commonly rupture in subarachnoid hemorrhage
Saccular or Berry aneurysms
Symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage
“Worst headache of my life”, bloody or yellow spinal tap
Complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Blood breakdown or rebleed cause vasospasms resulting in ischemic infarct
Treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage to reduce or prevent vasospasms
Nimodipine
What genetic diseases are associated with saccular and Berry aneurysms
Marfan syndrome and ADPKD
What risk is increased in subarachnoid hemorrhages
Risk of developing communicating and/or obstructive hydrocephalus
Brain hemorrhage most commonly caused by systemic HTN
Intraparenchymal hemorrhage
Conditions associated with intraparenchymal hemorrhage
Amyloid angiopathy, vasculitis, neoplasms
Intraparenchymal hemorrhage may be secondary to what type of injury
Ischemic stroke
Common location of intraparenchymal hemorrhage
Basal ganglia and internal capsule
Condition that develops in perforating vessels as a result of HTN
Charcot-Bouchard microaneurysm of lenticulostriate vessels
Presentation of intraparenchymal hemorrhage
Presents with headache, nausea, vomiting, and eventually coma
Effects of MCA stroke to temporal lobe (Wernicke); frontal lobe (Broca)
Aphasia if dominant (left hemisphere)
Hemineglect if non-dominant (right hemisphere)
Effects of MCA stroke to frontal lobe
Broca’s aphasia
Effects of MCA stroke to motor and sensory cortices
Contralateral paralysis and sensory loss (face and upper limb)
Area of brain associated with Wernicke aphasia
Right superior quadrant
Area of brain involved in MCA stroke causing visual field deficits
Temporal lobe
Effects of Anterior cerebral stroke to motor and sensory cortices
Contralateral paralysis and sensory loss (lower limb)
Effects of Lenticulostriate artery stroke to striatum, internal capsule
Contralateral paralysis and/or sensory loss (face and body)
Absence of cortical signs (neglect, aphasia, visual loss)
Common cause of lacunar infarcts
Hyaline arteriosclerosis due to unmanaged hypertension
Effects of Anterior spinal artery stroke to Lateral corticospinal tract
Contralateral paralysis (upper and lower limbs)
Effects of Anterior spinal artery stroke to Medial lemniscus
Decreased contralateral proprioception
Effects of Anterior spinal artery stroke to Caudal medulla-hypoglossal nerve
Ipsilateral hypoglossal dysfunction (tongue deviates ipsilaterally)
Ipsilateral deviation of tongue, contralateral limb weakness, contralateral sensory loss
Medial medullary syndrome
Effects of Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral medulla affecting nucleus ambiguus
Dysphagia, hoarseness, decreased gag reflex
Effects of Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral medulla affecting Vestibular nuclei
Vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus
Effects of Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral medulla affecting lateral spinothalamic tract, spinal trigeminal nucleus
Decreased pain and temperature from contralateral body, ipsilateral face
Effects of Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral medulla affecting Sympathetic fibers
Ipsilateral Horner syndrome
Effects of Posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral medulla affecting Inferior cerebellar peduncle
Ataxia, dysmetria
Artery specific to Nucleus ambiguus effects
PICA
Artery supplying Inferior cerebellar peduncle
PICA
Syndrome characterized by Ataxia, dysmetria; Ipsilateral Horner syndrome; Decreased pain and temperature on contralateral body and ipsilateral face; Vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus; Dysphagia, hoarseness, decreased gag reflex
Lateral Medullary syndrome
Effects of Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral pons affecting Facial nucleus
Face paralysis, decreased lacrimation, salivation, and taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue
Effects of Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral pons affecting Vestibular nuclei
Vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus
Effects of Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral pons affecting Spinothalamic tract, spinal trigeminal nucleus
Decreased pain and temperature from contralateral body and ipsilateral face
Effects of Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral pons affecting Sympathetic fibers
Ipsilateral Horner syndrome
Effects of Anterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke to lateral pons affecting Middle and Inferior cerebellar peduncles
Ataxia, dysmetria
Syndrome characterized by Face paralysis, decreased lacrimation, salivation, and taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue; Vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus; Decreased pain and temperature from contralateral body and ipsilateral face; Ataxia, dysmetria
Lateral pontine syndrome
Facial nucleus affects are specific to a lesion of what artery
AICA
Effects of Basilar artery stroke to Pons, medulla, lower midbrain
Completely paralyzed but RAS spared, therefore preserved consciousness
Condition in which patient is fully aware and can only move their eyes
Locked-in syndrome
Effects of Basilar artery stroke to Corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts
Quadriplegia with loss of voluntary facial, mouth and tongue movements
Effects of Basilar artery stroke to Ocular cranial nerve nuclei and PPRF
Loss of horizontal, but not vertical eye movements
Effects of Posterior cerebellar artery stroke to Occipital lobe
Contralateral hemianopia with macular sparing
Initial paresthesias followed in weeks to months by allodynia and dysesthesia due to thalamic lesions in 10% of stroke patients
Central post-stroke pain syndrome
Lesion to inferior frontal gyrus of frontal lobe in which patient has non-fluent speech but intact comprehension
Broca’s aphasia
Lesion to arcuate fasciculus with intact comprehension and fluent paraphrasic speech
Conduction aphasia
Lesion to arcuate fasciculus affecting Broca and Wernicke areas with impaired comprehension and non-fluent speech
Global aphasia
Lesion to superior temporal gyrus of temporal lobe with impaired comprehension and non-sensical fluent speech
Wernicke’s aphasia
Lesion affecting frontal lobe with sparing of Broca’s area with intact comprehension and non-fluent speech
Transcortical motor aphasia
Lesion affecting watershed areas with sparing of Broca’s, Wernicke’s and arcuate fasciculus with impaired comprehension and non-fluent speech
Transcortical, mixed aphasia
Lesion affecting temporal lobe with sparing of Wernicke’s area with impaired comprehension and fluent speech
Transcortical sensory aphasia
Most common site of Berry aneurysms
Junction of anterior communicating artery and ACA
Diseases associated with berry aneurysms
ADPKD and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Risk factors for berry aneurysms
older age, HTN, smoking, race
Race at increased risk of berry aneurysms
African-Americans
Symptoms of Anterior communicating artery compression aneurysm
Bitemporal hemianopia (optic chiasma compression)
Symptom of posterior communicating artery compression
Ipsilateral CN III palsy (mydriasis, ptosis, “down and out” eye
Disorder of recurrent seizures
Epilepsy
Continuous or recurring seizures that may result in brain injury lasting 5-30 minutes
Status epilepticus
Seizure with impaired consciousness
Complex partial seizure
Seizure with motor, sensory, autonomic, psychic auras with preserved consciousness
Simple partial seizure
Seizures affecting single area of brain, often preceded by auras
Partial seizures
Lobe commonly involved with partial seizures
Medial temporal lobe
Seizure characterized by blank stare and no postictal confusion
Absence seizure
Seizure characterized by quick, repetitive jerks
Myoclonic seizure
Seizure characterized by alternating stiffening and movement
Tonic-clonic seizure
Seizure characterized by 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges
Absence seizure
Seizure characterized by stiffening
Tonic seizure
Seizure characterized by “drop” to floor and commonly mistaken for fainting
Atonic seizure
Common causes of seizures in children
Genetic, febrile seizures, trauma, congenital metabolic
Common causes of seizures in adults
Tumor, trauma, stroke, infection
Common causes of seizures in elderly
Stroke, tumor, trauma, metabolic, infectioin
Repetitive, brief, unilateral headaches with severe periorbital pain with lacrimation and rhinorrhea
Cluster headache
Treatment for acute cluster headaches
Sumatriptan, 100% O2
Prophylactic treatment for cluster headaches
Verapamil (CCB)
Unilateral headache that last 15 min to 3 hours, is repetitive and may present with Horner syndrome
Cluster headache
Unilateral headache with pulsating pain, nausea, photophobia and phonophobia; possible aura lasting 4 to 72 hours
Migraine headache
Cause of migraine
Irritation of CN V, meninges or blood vessels
Substances released from blood vessels causing migraine
Substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and vasoactive particles
Acute treatment for migraine
NSAIDs, triptans, dihydroergotamine
Prophylactic treatment for migraines
Lifestyle changes, beta-blockers, CCBs, amitryptaline, topiramate, valproate
Bilateral headache with steady pain and constant lasting 4 to 6 hours
Tension headache
Treatment for tension headaches
Analgesics, NSAIDs, acetaminophen; (amitriptyline for chronic pain)
Repetitive, unilateral, shooting pain in the distribution of CN V lasting less than 1 minute
Trigeminal neuralgia
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia
Carbamazepine
Restlessness and intense urge to move; cannot sit still
Akathisia
Common causes of akathisia
Neuroleptics use or Parkinson disease
Extension of wrists causes flapping motion
Asterixis
Basal ganglia lesion causing slow, snake-like, writhing movements, especially in fingers
Athetosis
Basal ganglia lesion causing sudden jerky, purposeless movements
Chorea
Type of chorea seen in acute rheumatic fever and Huntington disease
Sydenham chorea
Sustained, involuntary muscle contractions like torticollis, writer’s cramp or blepharospasm
Dystonia
High-frequency tremor with sustained posture worsened with movement or when anxious
Essential tremor
Patients with essential tremors often self-medicate with which substance
Alcohol
Treatment for essential tremors
Primidone or non-selective beta-blockers like propranolol
Contralateral subthalamic lesion causing sudden, wild flailing of 1 arm; maybe ipsilateral leg
Hemiballismus
Cerebellar dysfunction causing slow, zigzag motion when pointing/extending toward a target
Intention tremor
Sudden, brief, uncontrolled muscle contraction
Myoclonus
Substantia nigra lesion causing uncontrolled movement of distal appendages alleviated by intentional movement
Resting tremor
Disease causing intention tremor characterized by “pill-rolling tremor” at rest
Parkinson disease
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease
Tremor at rest, Rigidity, Akinesia, Postural instability, Shuffling gait (TRAP)
Description of Lewy bodies
Made of alpha-synuclein
Intracellular eosinophilic inclusions seen in Parkinson disease made of alpha-synuclein
Lewy bodies
Cause of movement disorders in Parkinson disease
Loss of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta
Illegal street drug contaminant that can cause Parkinson disease
MPTP
Autosomal dominant trinucleotide repeat in Huntington disease
CAG
Chromosome affected in Huntington disease
Chromosome 4
Brain structure affected in Huntington disease
Atrophy of caudate and putamen with ex vacuo ventriculomegaly
Cause of neuronal death in Huntington disease
NMDA-R binding and glutamate excitotoxicity
Neurotransmitter changes in Huntington disease
Increased dopamine
Decreased GABA, ACh
Signs and symptoms of Huntington disease
Chorea, Dementia, Athetosis, Depression, Aggression (C DADA)
When does anticipation occur
Spermatogenesis
Most common cause of dementia in elderly
Alzheimer disease
Who is at risk of developing early onset dementia
Down syndrome patients
Cause of Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome
Amyloid precursor protein is located on chromosome 21
What are neurofibrillary tangles
Hyperphosphorylated tau protein
What are senile plaques
Beta-amyloid core
Location of neurofibrillary tangles
Intracellular
How is A-beta (amyloid-beta) made
Cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP)
Which Apo protein is associated with decreased risk of sporadic form of Alzheimer’s
ApoE2
Location of senile plaques
Extracellular space
Gross findings in Alzheimer disease
Widespread cortical atrophy, especially hippocampus with narrowing of gyri and widening of sulci
Microscopic findings in Alzheimer disease
Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular senile plaques
How many copies of APP gene are found in Down syndrome
3 copies on chromosome 21
Familial form of Alzheimer’s is associated with which proteins
Presenelin-1 and presenelin-2
Which Apo protein is associated with sporadic form of Alzheimer’s
ApoE4
Gross findings in frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal degeneration
Microscopic findings in frontotemporal dementia
Inclusions of hyperphosphorylated tau
Appearance of tau protein in frontotemporal dementia
Round Pick bodies
Signs and symptoms of frontotemporal dementia
Changes in personality and behavior or aphasia; possible movement disorders
Microscopic findings in Lewy body dementia
Intracellular Lewy bodies primarily in cortex
Signs and symptoms of Lewy body dementia
Dementia and visual hallucinations, parkinsonian features
Cause of vascular dementia
Multiple arterial infarcts and or chronic ischemia
Second most common cause of dementia in elderly
Vascular dementia
Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia
Step-wise decline in cognitive ability with late-onset memory impairment
Cause of vascular dementia
HTN, atherosclerosis or vasculitis
Image findings in vascular dementia
Multiple cortical and or subcortical infarcts
Rapidly progressive dementia with myoclonus
Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
Common findings in Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
Periodic sharp waves on ECG and increases 14-3-3 protein in CSF
Common gross and microscopic findings in Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
Spongiform cortex and prions
What are prions made of
Beta-pleated sheet resistant to proteases
Increased ICP with no apparent cause
Idiopathic ICP
Another name of idiopathic ICP
Pseudotumor cerebri
Risk factors associated with pseudotumor cerebri
Female gender, obesity, vitamin A excess, tetracycline, danazol
Signs and symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri
Headache, diplopia, papilledema with no mental status change
Lumbar puncture findings in pseudotumor cerebri
Increased opening pressure with headache relief
Treatment for pseudotumor cerebri
Weight loss, acetazolamide, topiramate
Treatment for refractory pseudotumor cerebri
Repeat lumbar puncture, CSF shunt placement, or optic nerve sheath fenestration surgery
Common findings in communicating hydrocephalus
Increased ICP, papilledema and herniation
Common cause of communicating hydrocephalus
Arachnoid scarring post-meningitis
Common symptoms in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Urinary incontinence, ataxia, cognitive dysfunction and magnetic gait (feet appear stuck on floor)
Who is at risk for normal pressure hydrocephalus
Elderly
Image findings in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Expansion of ventricles
Common findings in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Episodic elevated CSF pressure and no increased subarachnoid space volume
Appearance of increased CSF on imaging but actually due to decreased brain tissue and neuronal atrophy with normal ICP
Ex vacuo ventriculomegaly
Acute paralysis, dysarthria, dysphagia, diplopia, loss of consciousness secondary to osmotic changes
Osmotic demyelination syndrome
Other name for osmotic demyelination syndrome
Central pontine myelinolysis
Complication of osmotic demyelination syndrome
Locked-in syndrome
Common cause of osmotic demyelination syndrome
Iatrogenic from overly rapid correction of hyponatremia
Result of correcting hypernatremia too quickly
Cerebral edema/herniation
Autoimmune inflammation and demyelination of oligodendrocytes in CNS
Multiple sclerosis
Most common clinical course of multiple sclerosis
Relapsing and remitting
Population commonly affected by multiple sclerosis
Caucasian women in 20s and 30s living farther from equator
Symptoms of MS
Scanning speech, Intention tremor, Incontinence, Internuclear ophthalmoplegia, Nystagmus, Hemiparesis, Hemisensory symptoms
Charcot triad
Scanning speech, Intention tremor, Nystagmus (SIN)
Findings in MS
Increased IgG levels and myelin basic protein in CSF
Diagnosis of MS
Oligoclonal bands on MRI, paraventricular plaques with preservation of axon and multiple white matter lesions
Paraventricular plaques
Areas of oligodendrocyte loss and reactive gliosis
Treatment for MS to slow progression and modify disease
Beta-interferon slows progression, glatiramer and natalizumab
Acute flair treatment for MS
IV steroids
Symptomatic treatment for neurogenic bladder in MS
Catheterization, muscarinic antagonists
Symptomatic treatment for spasticity in MS
Baclofen, GABA receptor antagonist
Symptomatic treatment for pain in MS
TCAs, anticonvulsants
Autoimmune condition that destroys Schwan cells causing inflammation and demyelination of peripheral nerves and motor fibers
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Type of paralysis seen in Guillain-Barre syndrome
Symmetric, ascending paralysis beginning in lower extremities
Prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome
Almost all patients survive with recovery in weeks to months
CSF findings in Guillain-Barre syndrome
Increased CSF protein that may cause papilledema
Bacteria associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome
Campylobacter jejuni
Treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome
Respiratory support, plasmapheresis, IV immunoglobulins
Multifocal inflammation and demyelination after infection or vaccination with rapidly progressive multifocal neurological symptoms and altered mental status
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Disease also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Typical inheritance pattern of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Autosomal dominant
Mechanism of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Defective proteins involved in structure and function of peripheral nerves or myelin sheath
Typical findings associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Foot deformities (pes cavus, hammer toe), lower extremity weakness and sensory deficits
Inheritance pattern for Krabbe disease
Autosomal recessive
Defect in Krabbe disease
Galactocerebrosidase deficiency
Mechanism of Krabbe disease
Galactocerebroside and psychosine buildup destroy myelin
Findings in Krabbe disease
Peripheral neuropathy, developmental delay, optic atrophy, globoid cells
Inheritance pattern for metachromatic leukodystrophy
Autosomal recessive
Defect in metachromatic leukodystrophy
Arylsulfatase A deficiency
Mechanism of metachromatic leukodystrophy
Buildup of sulfatides impairs production and destroys myelin
Findings in metachromatic leukodystrophy
Central and peripheral demyelination with ataxia and dementia
Most common leukodystrophy
Metachromatic leukodystrophy
Demyelinating disease of CNS seen in reactivation of latent JC virus infection that is rapidly progressive and usually fatal
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Drugs that increase risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Natalizumab and rituximab
Population affected by progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
AIDS patients
Inheritance pattern of adrenoleukodystrophy
X-linked
Mechanism of adrenoleukodystrophy
Disruption of very-long-chain fatty acid metabolism increases fatty acids damaging adrenal glands, testes and nervous system
Complications of adrenoleukodystrophy
Long-term coma and death in adrenal crisis
What is the defect in adrenoleukodystrophy
Cannot add coenzyme A to long-chain fatty acids
Sturge-Weber syndrome inheritance
Congenital, non-inherited
Mechanism of Sturge-Weber syndrome
Mutation in GNAQ gene causes developmental anomaly in neural crest cell derivatives
Sturge-Weber syndrome acronym for symptoms
STURGE: Sporadic, Tram track calcifications, Unilateral, Retardation, GNAQ, Glaucoma, Epilepsy
Genetic defect of tuberous sclerosis
TSC1/TSC2 mutation on chromosome 16
Inheritance pattern of tuberous sclerosis
Autosomal dominant, variable expression
Common findings in tuberous sclerosis
HAMARTOMAS: Hamartomas in CNS and skin Angiofibromas Mitral regurgitation Ash-leaf spots Rhabdomyoma Tuberous sclerosis autosomal dOminant Mental retardation Angiomyolipoma Seizures, Shagreen patches
Inheritance pattern for NF1
Autosomal dominant, 100% penetrance
Mutation in NF1
NF1 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 17
Function of NF1
Codes for neurofibromin
Function of neurofibromin
Negative regulator of RAS
Signs and symptoms in NF1
Café-au-lait spots, cutaneous neurofibromas, optic gliomas, pheochromocytoma, Lisch nodules
Pigmented iris hamartomas
Lisch nodules
Inheritance patter for NF2
Autosomal dominant
Mutation in NF2
NF2 tumor suppressor on chromosome 22
Signs and symptoms in NF2
Bilateral acoustic schwannomas, juvenile cataracts, meningiomas, and ependymomas
NF2 affects what
2 ears, 2 eyes, and 2 parts of brain
Inheritance pattern for von Hippel-Lindau disease
Autosomal dominant
Mutation in von Hippel-Lindau disease
Deletion of VHL gene on chromosome 3
Findings in von Hippel-Lindau disease
HARP: Hemangioblastomas - retina, brain stem, spine cerebellum Angiomatosis - skin, mucosa, organs Renal cell carcinoma - bilateral Pheochromocytoma
Common, highly malignant brain tumor that can cross corpus callosum
Glioblastoma
Cell of origin in glioblastoma
Astrocyte
Microscopic findings in glioblastoma
GFAP positive, “pseudopalisading” pleomorphic tumor cells around central area of necrosis
Mass with “fried egg” cells in frontal lobe white matter and “chicken wire” capillary pattern presenting with seizures
Oligodendroglioma
Benign brain tumor with dural attachment, spindle cells in whirled pattern and psammoma bodies presenting with seizures
Meningioma
Cerebellar tumor associated with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome with thin-walled capillaries presenting with polycythemia
Hemangioblastoma
Cell of origin in meningioma
Arachnoid cell
S-100 positive tumor at the cerebellopontine angle localized to CN VIII
Schwannoma
Cell of origin in schwannoma
Schwan cells
Cell of origin in hemangioblastoma
Blood vessel
Most common adult tumor
Meningioma
Well circumscribed, GFA positive tumor in posterior fossa with eosinophilic, corkscrew fibers
Astrocytoma
Most common malignant brain tumor in childhood
Medulloblastoma
Most common benign CNS tumor in childhood
Astrocytoma
Cell of origin in astrocytoma
Glial cell
Cell of origin in medulloblastoma
Neuroectodermal
Brain tumor in cerebellum causing non-communicating hydrocephalus with Homer-Wright rosettes and small blue cells on histology
Medulloblastoma
Malignant brain tumor in 4th ventricle causing hydrocephalus with perivascular rosettes and basal ciliary bodies near the nucleus on histology
Ependymoma
Most common childhood supratentorial tumor
Craniopharyngioma
Cell of origin in ependymoma
Ependymal cells
Cell of origin in craniopharyngioma
Remnants of Rathke pouch
Brain tumor causing bitemporal hemianopia with calcification and cholesterol crystals in motor oil-like fluid within tumor on histology
Craniopharyngioma
Brain tumor causing vertical gaze palsy, obstructive hydrocephalus, increased beta-HCG production in boys
Pinealoma
Artery compressed with cingulate herniation under falx cerebri
Anterior cerebral artery
Complications of transtentorial herniation
Caudal displacement of brain stem rupturing paramedian basilar artery branches leading to Duret hemorrhages
Complications of Uncal herniation to ipsilateral CNIII
Blown pupil - down and outward gaze
Complications of Uncal herniation to ipsilateral PCA
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing
Complications of Uncal herniation to contralateral crus cerebri
Ipsilateral paresis
Complications of cerebellar herniation into the foramen magnum
Coma and death when brain stem compressed
UMN sign lesions
Weakness, Up reflexes, tone, & Babinski; spastic paresis, clasp knife spasticity
LMN sign lesions
Weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, Down reflexes, tone; flaccid paralysis
Congenital degeneration of anterior horns of spinal cord causing “floppy baby”
Werdnig-Hoffmann disease
Motor nerves affected in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease
LMN’s
Symptoms in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease
Symmetric weakness, hypotonia and tongue fasciculations
Inheritance pattern of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease
Autosomal recessive
Degeneration of anterior horns of spinal cord causing asymmetric weakness
Poliomyelitis
Combined UMN and LMN deficits from loss of cortical and spinal cord neurons presenting with asymmetric limb weakness, fasciculations and eventual atrophy
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Other name for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Lou Gehrig disease
Enzyme defective in familial ALS
Superoxide dismutase I
Treatment for ALS
Riluzole
Presentation of complete occlusion of anterior spinal artery
Below lesion: UMN deficits and loss of pain and temp
Level of lesion: LMN deficits
Sensory and Motor tracts affected in complete occlusion of anterior spinal artery
Cortical spinal tract below lesion - UMN deficits
Spinothalamic tract below lesion - pain and temp
Anterior horn at level of lesion - LMN deficits
Artery that supplies anterior spinal artery at T8 spinal level
Artery of Adamkiewicz
Lesion that caused by tertiary syphilis resulting in demyelination of dorsal columns and roots presenting with absence of DTRs and positive Romberg sign
Tabes dorsalis
Patient with Argyll Robertson pupils and poor coordination most likely has what defect of spinal cord
Demyelination of dorsal columns and roots
Lesion causing bilateral loss of pain and temp in cape-like distribution and associated with Chiari I malformation
Syringomyelia
Area of spinal cord affected by syringomyelia
Anterior white commissure of spinothalamic tract
Sensory and motor tracts affected in patient with ataxic gait, paresthesia and impaired position/vibration sense with vitamin B12 deficiency
Spinocerebellar tracts, lateral Corticospinal tracts and Dorsal columns
Person with compression of spinal roots from L2 and below is at risk for what complications
Loss of bladder and anal sphincter control, radicular pain, saddle anesthesia
Motor nerves affected in cauda equina syndrome
LMNs
Cauda equina syndrome
Radicular pain, absent knee and ankle reflex, loss of bladder and anal sphincter control
Mechanism of poliomyelitis
Poliovirus replicates in oropharynx and small intestine then spreads to bloodstream and CNS
Area of CNS affected by poliomyelitis
Anterior horn of spinal cord causing LMN death
Diagnosis of patient presenting with fever, malaise, headache, nausea, LMN signs with increased WBCs and slight protein increase in CSF
Poliomyelitis
Symptoms present with damage to oculosympathetic pathway
Miosis, ptosis, anhydrosis
Horner syndrome
Miosis, ptosis, anhydrosis
Presentation of hemisection of spinal cord
Ipsilateral loss of all sensation at lesion level
Ipsilateral LMN signs at lesion level
Ipsilateral UMN signs below lesion
Ipsilateral loss of fine touch and proprioception below lesion
Contralateral pain and temp loss below lesion
Horner syndrome if lesion above T1
Brown-Sequard syndrome
Lesion affecting hemisection of spinal cord
Inheritance pattern of Friedreich ataxia
Autosomal recessive
Defect in Friedreich ataxia
Trinucleotide GAA repeat on chromosome 9
Mechanism of Friedreich ataxia
Defective frataxin gene impairs mitochondria leading to degeneration of spinal cord tracts
Cause of death in Friedreich ataxia
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Presentation of Friedreich ataxia in childhood
Kyphoscoliosis with staggering gait, falling, diabetes, pes cavus, hammer toes, nystagmus and dysarthria
Presentation of CN V motor lesion
Jaw deviates toward side of lesion from unopposed pterygoid muscle on opposite side
Presentation of CN X lesion
Uvula deviates away from side of lesion
Presentation of CN XI lesion
Contralateral weakness turning head and ipsilateral shoulder droop
Presentation of CN XII lesion
Tongue deviates to side of lesion
Motor neuron affect with CN XII lesion
LMN
Motor neuron lesion causing ipsilateral paralysis of upper and lower muscles of face with taste loss to anterior 2/3 of tongue and hyperacusis
LMN lesion
Cause of LMN lesion causing ipsilateral paralysis of upper and lower muscles of face
Destruction of facial nucleus or CN VII anywhere along its path
Cause of UMN lesion causing lower facial paralysis
Contralateral destruction of motor cortex or connection between motor cortex and facial nucleus
Motor neuron lesion causing contralateral paralysis of lower face muscles with sparing of forehead
UMN lesion