Non-compressive Spinal Cord Disorders

Question 1

what happens with urinary incontinence for an upper motor neuron lesion?

Answer 1

secondary overflow: sphincter hypertonicity, abnormal detrusor reflex

Question 2

what lower motor neuron diseases can cause an animal to be unable to walk?

Answer 2

myasthenia gravis
acute polyradiculoneuritis

Question 3

what can cause extradural spinal cord damage?

Answer 3

disc herniation, protrusion
neoplasia
granuloma
discospondylitis

Question 4

what is the etiology of a fibrocartilaginous embolism?

Answer 4

occlusion of spinal cord arteries with nucleus pulposus material
unclear how part of disc enters spinal arteries

Question 5

is fibrocartilaginous embolism usually unilateral or bilateral?

Answer 5

unilateral 75%

Question 6

what are the differential diagnoses for fibrocartilaginous embolism?

Answer 6

acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion
compressive disc herniation
trauma
other reason for vascular occlusion
bleeding

Question 7

what does canine degenerative myelopathy affect?

Answer 7

white matter tracts and motor neurons of spinal cord as well as brain stem nuclei

Question 8

is the onset of canine degenerative myelopathy asymmetrical or symmetrical?

Answer 8

asymmetrical

Question 9

what is the median average ambulatory time from onset to a non-ambulatory condition with canine degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 9

8-10 months

Question 10

what does riluzole do?

Answer 10

reduces excitatory neurotransmitters
beneficial in human ALS

Question 11

what is urinary incontinence like for lower motor neuron lesions?

Answer 11

primary overflow: loss of bladder sphincter tone
loss of voluntary voiding function

Question 12

what can cause extramedullary-intradural spinal cord damage?

Answer 12

meningioma
nerve sheath tumor
other tumors
cyst

Question 13

what can cause intramedullary spinal cord damage?

Answer 13

GME
distemper
FCE
degenerative myelopathy

Question 14

which dogs usually get fibrocartilagenous embolism?

Answer 14

3-7 years of age
middle size to large breed dogs
schnauzers

Question 15

how can a definitive diagnosis of fibrocartilagenous embolism be made?

Answer 15

histopathology

Question 16

what is important to rule out with fibrocartilagenous embolism?

Answer 16

disc herniation

Question 17

what is degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 17

progressive degenerative condition older dogs
genetic basis likely

Question 18

what is the cytoplasmic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1)?

Answer 18

important free radical scavenger for elimination of reactive oxygen molecules
mutation: misfolded protein accumulating in CNS
degenerative myelopathy

Question 19

what are the consequences of SOD1 mutation?

Answer 19

motor neuron dysfunction
microglia
oligodendrocytes dysfunction
astrocytes
impaired protein degradation
axonal transport
prion-like propagation of misfolded proteins

Question 20

is degenerative myelopathy painful?

Answer 20

no

Question 21

what is the onset like of degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 21

asymmetrical
weakness in one leg first
loss proprioceptive function
normal to increased spinal reflexes

Question 22

is there genetic testing for degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 22

yes: T-allele SOD1

Question 23

what can be done to treat degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 23

still fatal
antioxidants
physical therapy: intensive (best)

Question 24

what are the experimental treatment options for degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 24

riluzole
gen silencing
antisense nucleotides

Question 25

which breeds most commonly get degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 25

german shepherds
boxers
corgies

Question 26

is there a direct test for degenerative myelopathy?

Answer 26

no