PRELIMS: Motor Neuron Disease Flashcards
What are the three types of neurons and their primary functions?
The three types of neurons are:
Sensory neurons: Detect external stimuli and convert it into information for the nervous system.
Interneurons: Connect sensory and motor neurons, transmitting information between them.
Motor neurons: Use information from sensory neurons to control muscle and gland activity.
What is the primary function of motor neurons?
Motor neurons transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscle cells, controlling voluntary and involuntary movements.
How many neurons are estimated to be in the human body?
There are approximately 80 billion neurons in the human body.
Where do upper motor neurons originate, and what is their function?
Upper motor neurons originate in the motor cortex of the brain or brainstem and transmit signals to interneurons and lower motor neurons.
What are the two names for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) based on location?
In the US and Canada, it’s called Lou Gehrig’s disease; in the UK and Australia, it’s called Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
What is the role of lower motor neurons?
Lower motor neurons, found in the brainstem and spinal cord, communicate directly with muscles and glands, controlling their functional output.
What is Motor Neuron Disease (MND), and what does it affect?
MND is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of function over time.
What is a common outcome for individuals in the late stages of ALS/MND?
Most people with ALS die in their sleep at home due to respiratory failure.
What is the primary characteristic of ALS/MND?
: ALS/MND is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle atrophy and weakness.
What is the DNA damage theory related to hereditary MND?
The DNA damage theory suggests that mutations in the TARDBP (TAR DNA-binding protein 43) gene, involved in DNA repair, contribute to the development of MND.
Types of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Affects the brainstem, causing difficulty with speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP)
How do symptoms progress in MND?
As MND progresses, individuals may lose the ability to walk, use their hands, speak, swallow, and breathe independently.
What are some initial symptoms of Motor Neuron Disease?
Initial symptoms include muscle weakness or atrophy, trouble swallowing or breathing, cramping, stiffness, and slurred or nasal speech.
What percentage of Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs) are hereditary, and what are potential causes for the others?
Around 10% of MNDs are hereditary. The other 90% occur randomly, with potential causes including environmental, toxic, viral, or genetic factors.
Types of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Affects lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle wasting, particularly in the arms, legs, and mouth.
Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA)
Types of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
A rare form affecting neurons in the brain, progressing slowly and not fatal.
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS):
Types of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
An inherited form of MND affecting children, with three types caused by a genetic mutation (SMA1), primarily affecting the trunk, legs, and arms.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
What are the two main types of ALS presentations?
The two main types of ALS presentations are:
Spinal-onset ALS (70%): Characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy in the limbs and trunk.
Bulbar-onset ALS (50%): Involves cognitive and language impairments, with 85% of patients exhibiting bulbar changes as the disease progresses.
a neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles. It’s named after the baseball player Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed with the disease.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Types of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
The most common type, affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. It impacts muscles in the arms, legs, mouth, and respiratory system.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS
What are the aims and goals of physiotherapy management for MND patients?
Delaying loss of strength
Maintaining endurance
Limiting pain
Improving speech and swallowing
Preventing chest complications
Preventing musculoskeletal complications
Promoting functional independence
Ambulation support
What are the types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)?
SMA Type 0 (Congenital)
SMA Type 1 (Severe, Werdnig-Hoffman Disease)
SMA Type 2 (Intermediate, Dubowitz Disease)
SMA Type 3 (Mild, Kugelberg-Welander Disease)
SMA Type 4 (Adult-onset)
What types of exercises are recommended to delay loss of strength in MND patients?
Regular active or active-assisted exercises
Small set of walks in the corridor
Task-oriented activities
Suspension or hydrotherapy
Resisted exercises (e.g., using Theraband springs)
: How can endurance be maintained in MND patients?
Slow static cycling
Treadmill exercises
Aerobic exercises (if respiratory function is not compromised)
Small sets of brisk walking
What physiotherapy interventions can help limit pain in MND patients?
TENS or MENS for radiating pain
Ultrasound for muscle stiffness or joint stiffness
SWD for muscular spasm and pain
Moist heat or cold therapy, depending on the patient’s sensations
What techniques can improve speech and swallowing in MND patients?
Propped-up positioning during feeding to prevent choking and aspiration
Oromotor retraining, such as icing and sensory integration over lips and throat
Avoiding saliva accumulation to prevent aspiration
Incorporating O2 during sleep and elevating the head end to manage sleep apnea and breathing problems
What exercises can prevent chest complications in MND patients?
Incentive spirometry with single breath counting
Effective huffing and coughing, deep breathing exercises
Segmental breathing exercises
Hourly side-lateral positioning to prevent secretion accumulation
Cardiovascular endurance exercises like walking on a treadmill for 5 minutes or cycling for 5 to 10 minutes
What is the most common type of Motor Neuron Disease (MND)?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common type of MND.
How can musculoskeletal complications be prevented in MND patients?
Use of assistive devices and splints
Exercises to prevent contracture deformity or tightness
Passive sustained stretching for spasticity
Tone-inducing or tone-reducing techniques
Active free exercises
Which type of MND primarily affects the neurons in the brain?
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) affects the neurons in the brain and progresses more slowly than ALS.
What muscles are affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
ALS affects the muscles of the arms, legs, mouth, and respiratory system.
What is the only known mode of transmission for ALS?
Familial and sporadic ALS, primarily stemming from genetic factors.