Neuropsychological Disorders Flashcards
two-hit hypothesis/diathesis stress model/neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia
developmental vulnerability that then emerges at specific ages of onset in response to stress
diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s
Mini-mental state examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) - screening measure, does not assess specific function
primary progressive aphasia
lose words
semantic dementia
lose understanding of word meaning
progressive non-fluent aphasia
lose Broca’s area, stops speaking
stroke
the sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain
infarct
area of dead or dying tissue resulting from an obstruction of the blood vessels
ischemia
disorders due to blockage in blood vessels going to the brain
thrombosis
formation of a plug or clot in the blood vessel
embolism
a clot or plug that is brought through the blood from a larger vessel to a smaller vessel
cerebral arteriosclerosis
thickening and hardening of the arteries
cerebral vascular insufficiency or transient ischemia
temporary ischemia, disorder has variable nature over passage of time
migraine stroke
accounts for a significant number of strokes in younger people, especially women, appears as a transient ischemic attack
symptoms of migraine stroke
impaired sensory function, numbness of the skin, difficulties moving, aphasia
cerebral hemorrhage
massive bleeding into the brain, most often caused by hypertension/high blood pressure
angioma
congenital collection of abnormal blood vessels that divert normal flow of blood, eg. arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
aneurysms
vascular dilation, due mostly to congenital defects/hypertension/arteriosclerosis/embolisms/infections
how do you treat cerebral vascular disorders?
- drug therapy (t-Pa therapy, neuroprotective drugs, antiplatelet agents)
- surgery (relieve pressure, metabolic syndromes increases surgical risk)
- prevention!
traumatic brain injuries - open-head injuries
TBIs with skull penetration, neurological signs/symptoms are highly specific, may undergo rapid and spontaneous recovery if injury is small and specific
traumatic brain injuries - closed-head injuries
coup, countercoup, twisting and shearing of major fiber tracts, bleeding and pressure can result in hematomas, edema: can produce coma, behavioural effects
coup
damage at the site of the blow
countercoup
damage at the opposite side of the blow due to pushing or pressure
coma
loss of consciousness; commonly accompanies closed-head injuries
behavioural effects of TBI
impairment of specific functions mediated by the cortex at site of damage, more generalized impairments from widespread trauma throughout brain