Non-compressive Spinal Cord Disorders Flashcards
what happens with urinary incontinence for an upper motor neuron lesion?
secondary overflow: sphincter hypertonicity, abnormal detrusor reflex
what lower motor neuron diseases can cause an animal to be unable to walk?
myasthenia gravis
acute polyradiculoneuritis
what can cause extradural spinal cord damage?
disc herniation, protrusion
neoplasia
granuloma
discospondylitis
what is the etiology of a fibrocartilaginous embolism?
occlusion of spinal cord arteries with nucleus pulposus material
unclear how part of disc enters spinal arteries
is fibrocartilaginous embolism usually unilateral or bilateral?
unilateral 75%
what are the differential diagnoses for fibrocartilaginous embolism?
acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion
compressive disc herniation
trauma
other reason for vascular occlusion
bleeding
what does canine degenerative myelopathy affect?
white matter tracts and motor neurons of spinal cord as well as brain stem nuclei
is the onset of canine degenerative myelopathy asymmetrical or symmetrical?
asymmetrical
what is the median average ambulatory time from onset to a non-ambulatory condition with canine degenerative myelopathy?
8-10 months
what does riluzole do?
reduces excitatory neurotransmitters
beneficial in human ALS
what is urinary incontinence like for lower motor neuron lesions?
primary overflow: loss of bladder sphincter tone
loss of voluntary voiding function
what can cause extramedullary-intradural spinal cord damage?
meningioma
nerve sheath tumor
other tumors
cyst
what can cause intramedullary spinal cord damage?
GME
distemper
FCE
degenerative myelopathy
which dogs usually get fibrocartilagenous embolism?
3-7 years of age
middle size to large breed dogs
schnauzers
how can a definitive diagnosis of fibrocartilagenous embolism be made?
histopathology
what is important to rule out with fibrocartilagenous embolism?
disc herniation
what is degenerative myelopathy?
progressive degenerative condition older dogs
genetic basis likely
what is the cytoplasmic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1)?
important free radical scavenger for elimination of reactive oxygen molecules
mutation: misfolded protein accumulating in CNS
degenerative myelopathy
what are the consequences of SOD1 mutation?
motor neuron dysfunction
microglia
oligodendrocytes dysfunction
astrocytes
impaired protein degradation
axonal transport
prion-like propagation of misfolded proteins
is degenerative myelopathy painful?
no
what is the onset like of degenerative myelopathy?
asymmetrical
weakness in one leg first
loss proprioceptive function
normal to increased spinal reflexes
is there genetic testing for degenerative myelopathy?
yes: T-allele SOD1
what can be done to treat degenerative myelopathy?
still fatal
antioxidants
physical therapy: intensive (best)
what are the experimental treatment options for degenerative myelopathy?
riluzole
gen silencing
antisense nucleotides
which breeds most commonly get degenerative myelopathy?
german shepherds
boxers
corgies
is there a direct test for degenerative myelopathy?
no
