Pathologies Flashcards
What are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Memory loss, confusion, judgment, following a conversation, misplacing items, changes in mood, ability to solve problems
What are the main structural differences within the brain? (Alzheimer’s)
. Plaques and tangles form
. Plaques - build up of peptide (amyloid beta) between the neurone
How are tangles formed within the brain?
Alzheimer’s
Formed by filaments in cytoskeleton being phosphorylated and kept in polymerised state
How are synapses kept in place? (Alzheimer’s)
Transmitter proteins at both sides
What are CAM? (Alzheimer’s)
Cell adhesion molecules
What are CAM disrupted by?
Alzheimer’s
Amyloid beta
How do amyloid beta affect CAM
Alzheimer’s
Inability to maintain structure which leads to a loss of nervous impulses
How is exocytosis of neurotransmitter affected
Alzheimer’s
High concentration of protein d-synuclein
What does d-synuclein do?
Alzheimer’s
Decreases the ability of vesicles containing neurotransmitter to fuse with cell membrane
What are the main symptoms of MS?
Vision problems, fatigue, memory loss, reduced mobility, pain, speech and swallowing issues
What happens when there is an accumulation of antibodies in CNS system?
(MS)
Destruction on myelin sheath
What are the main causes of MS
Inflammation of NS
Antibodies destroying myelin sheath
Triggering factors of MS
Herpes type 6
Epstein Barr virus
Sunlight exposure and vitamin D
Symptoms of MS
Can be diverse dependent on location
Nerves in brain and spinal cord are damaged
Treatment options for MS
Steroids
Treatment for specific symptoms eg fatigue
What is mitochondrial myopathy
Disease of the muscle, mitochondria within the cell are affected
Symptoms of mitochondrial myopathy
Muscular and neuro problems
Muscle weakness, unable to exercise
Balance and co-ord issues
Main problems with mitochondria myopathy
Low energy
Free radical production
Lactic acidosis
Causes of MM
Mutation of a cell, potentially inheritable
What causes diabetes?
Type 1 - absence of insulin - destruction of beta cells in the panc by immune systems
Type 2 - loss of sensitivity of body tissues to insulin - loss of receptors in cell membrane and defective receptors
Pregnancy - less common due to hormones - loss of response
Symptoms of Diabetes
Increased thirst, lack of energy, glucose and protein in urine, blurry vision
Typical tests are glucose tolerance test, glycated albumin test
Complications of diabetes
Atherosclerosis, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy
Treatment options for diabetes
Type 1 - insulin
Type 2 - diet, lifestyle, insulin therapy
What is atherosclerosis
Build up of cholesterol within the cell wall
Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis
Progression of disease causes lumen to narrow, if coronary arteries affected -> angina, chest pain and fatigue
If carotid arteries -> weakness and confusion
If peripheral -> numbness and pain
Risk factors of atherosclerosis
Inflammation Smoking High BP High cholesterol Diabetes
Treatment of atherosclerosis
Diet and lifestyle change
Cells involved in atherosclerosis
Endothelial
Effects of atherosclerosis
Coronary artery disease, heart attack, PE, kidney failure
What role do calcium ions play in atherosclerosis?
Different arteries have different permeabilities to calcium ions, calcium deposition leads to necrosis and inflammation
What is asthma
Condition caused by the narrowing of airways due to autoimmune reaction
The chemical mediator for asthma is histamine, where is it stored?
Mast cells and basophils
Mediates 2/4 of cardinal signs, bronchospasms and oedema
Actions are blocked by histamines
