Neuropsychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 4 main pathologies of the brain?

A
  1. Tumour
  2. Meningitis
  3. Neurodegenerative diseases
  4. Cerebrovascular disorders
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2
Q

What is a meningioma?

A

Tumour resulting from the covering of the brain near the scalp, growing into the brain tissue. Can result in specific motor/cognitive impairments due to pressure exerted

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3
Q

What is an astrocytoma?

A

Tumour that infiltrates the brain, with border between tumour and unaffected tissue so it is difficult to detect

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4
Q

What can cancer in the pituitary glands lead to?

A

Sudden growth of hands, face and ribcage. Can also compress the optic chiasm and lead to visual impairment.

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5
Q

What are metastatic tumours?

A

When tumours travel by the blood from other parts of the body to the brain

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6
Q

What is a medullablastoma?

A

Most common in children. Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid can within hours lead to a high increase of pressure within the brain.

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7
Q

What are some initial symptoms of meningitis?

A

Fever, headaches, stiff neck, nausea, sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness

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8
Q

What areas of the brain does Parkinson’s disease affect?

A

Dopamine containing neurones in the substantia nigra targeting striatal and cortical regions

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9
Q

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

A

Tremor at rest, muscular rigidity, akinesis (slowness of movement)

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10
Q

Name 2 treatments of Parkinson’s disease

A
  1. Medication (e.g L-Dopa)

2. Insertion of electrodes into the basal ganglia

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11
Q

What is the cause of Huntington’s disease?

A
  • Mutations to the Huntingtin gene located on chromosome 4 causing mutant form of HTT referred to as mHTT with >36 glutamine molecules
  • Autosomal dominant (does not skip generations)
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12
Q

What are the psychological symptoms of Huntington’s disease?

A

Cognitive decline and personality changes such as increased irritability, mood swings and apathy

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13
Q

What are the motor symptoms of Huntington’s disease?

A

Spontaneous movements, a loss of smoothness of coordinated movements

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14
Q

What medications are available for those with Huntington’s disease?

A
  • SSRI’s for depression
  • Tetrabenazine for motor disturbances
  • Neuroleptics for psychiatric disturbances
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15
Q

What brain changes are associated with the following symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: a) deficits in autobiographical memory b) language and navigational deficits

A

a) changes in temporal lobes

b) changes in cortical structure

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16
Q

What are the 4 classes of haematoma?

A
  1. Epidural
  2. Subdural
  3. Subarachnoidal
  4. Intracerebral
17
Q

What can result from a Subarachnoidal H.?

A

Damage to hippocampus/temporal lobes resulting in memory impairment

18
Q

What produces an ischemic stroke?

A

Cerebrovascular occlusions

19
Q

What are the 3 main arteries that supply the brain?

A
  1. Middle cerebral artery
  2. Posterior cerebral artery
  3. Anterior cerebral artery
20
Q

Name 3 tests assesing memory

A
  • Corsi block taping test (working memory)
  • Benton visual retention test
  • Wechsler Memory Scale
21
Q

What is angioma?

A

uncontrolled capillary growth causing decline of cognitive function over time

22
Q

What is alexia?

A
  • ability to write on command, but being unable to read the words just written
  • visual system unable to communicate with the language system
23
Q

What is neglect?

A
  • patient is unaware of meaningful stimuli in the space opposite to their lesion
  • can be found in the auditory, visual and somesthetic domain
24
Q

What is a common test for neglect?

A

Behavioural inattention test - BIT