Other Neuropsychological Disorders

Question 1

Cerebral Anoxia

Answer 1

Complete absence of oxygen to the brain. Often caused by cardiac arrest, followed by near drowning, anaesthesia and failed hanging.

Question 2

Hypoxia

Answer 2

Low levels of oxygen reaching the brain. For example, Altitude sickness (nausea, headache, mental dulling, reduced alertness).

Question 3

Chronic Oxygen Depletion

Answer 3

Caused by conditions such as Emphysema and Sleep Apnoea. Results in deficits to attention, processing speed and memory.

Question 4

Carbon Monoxide

Answer 4

CO preferentially bonds to haemoglobin so oxygen cannot enter the blood. Causes impaired memory, attention, processing speed and executive functions. Severe effects also include dementia, paralysis and blindness.

Question 5

Chronic Alcohol Use

Answer 5

Causes atrophy of grey and white matter, the cerebellum and the hippocampus. Long term effects include deficits to visuospatial ability, STM, Learning ability and executive functions.

Question 6

Alcoholic Dementia

Answer 6

Widespread cognitive decline that occurs as a result of life long chronic alcohol abuse.

Question 7

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

Answer 7

Very rare disorder characterised by gross memory impairment, disorientation to time/place, apathy, loss of insight and executive impairments. Results from Thiamine (B12) deficiency and heavy alcohol use.

Question 8

Spina Bifida

Answer 8

Congenital form of hydrocephalus which results in a defect during the first month of gestation where the neural tube does not close.

Question 9

Effects of Spina Bifida

Answer 9

Increased risk of ongoing hydrocephalus. Corpus callosum may be damages due to ventricle expansion. Cognitive effects include lowered IQ, verbal and visual learning deficits and attention, language and information processing deficits.

Question 10

Cerebral Palsy

Answer 10

Disorder of motor function that results from brain trauma during foetal development or birth. Ranges from severe total paralysis to mild partial paralysis of a specific area.

Question 11

Effects of Cerebral Palsy

Answer 11

Varies dramatically depending on the severity and location of the disorder. Most have very few cognitive deficits. Typically just the motor symptoms.

Question 12

Bacterial Meningitis

Answer 12

Inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain. Can cause hydrocephalus, brain swelling, hypoxia and seizures as a result of the changes to blood and CSF flow.

Question 13

Effects of Meningitis

Answer 13

Effects vary depending on the age of the child and the type/strength/duration of the infection. Severe effects include seizures, paralysis and deafness. Subtle effects include deficits to attention, learning, concentration, processing speed and language.

Question 14

Spina Bifida Occulta

Answer 14

Outer layer is not joined, but spinal cord is intact and covered, often with a tuft of hair.

Question 15

Spina Bifida Cystica Meningocele

Answer 15

Meninges is damaged and forms a sack, but spinal cord is intact.

Question 16

Spina Bifida Cystica Myelomeningocele

Answer 16

Spinal cord and meninges bulge out of back. Often ruptured during childbirth. Most severe and common form of Spina Bifida. May result in other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Question 17

Motor Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy

Answer 17

Spastic - limbs resist movement.
Athetoid - slow, involuntary movement.
Rigidity - Muscles around joints are stiff.
Ataxic - difficulty making voluntary movement.