Strokes

Question 1

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke

Answer 1

1. Contralateral loss of motor/sensation to the face and arms
2. Spastic UMN paralysis of the lower face (lower face droops on opposite side)
3. If stroke is in dominant hemisphere (L hemisphere) = aphasia (speech problems)
4. If stroke is in the non-dominant hemisphere (R hemisphere) = hemineglect (lack of awareness for 1/2 of body)
5. Gaze TOWARDS side of lesion

Question 2

Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) stroke

Answer 2

1. Contralateral loss of motor/sensation to the legs and feet
2. Alien-hand syndrome: semiautomatic movements of the contralateral hand, NOT under voluntary control

Question 3

Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke

Answer 3

1. Visual hallucinations
2. Visual agnosia: see things, but cant recognize
3. Contralateral hemianopia with macular sparing
   
   1. L posterior lobe damage/ L PCA stroke / L optic tract lesion = loss of R visual field
   2. R posterior lobe damage/ R PCA stroke / R optic tract lesion = loss of L visual field