The nervous system - degenerative & motor disorders - ch 12

Question 1

Name 4 degenerative and motor disorders?

Answer 1

1. Alzheimers disease (dementia)
2. Cerebral palsy
3. Multiple sclerosis
4. Parkinson’s disease

Question 2

Definition of Alzheimers disease?

Answer 2

known as Alzheimer’s dementia, it is irreversible, progressive brain disorder of deteriorating mental capacity

Question 3

What is Alzheimers characterized by?

Answer 3

confusion, memory loss, other cognitive defects and eventually even the inability to carry out the simplest tasks or activities of daily living.

Question 4

What is the Alzheimers brain characterized by?

Answer 4

the deposit of amyloid plaques and atrophy. (amyloid - starch deposits, atrophy - decrease in size)

Question 5

True/False? Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia amoung older people?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Definition of cerebral palsy?

Answer 6

refers to a variety of neurological conditions that manifest as disorders of movement or posture. Body movement & muscle coordination are permanently affected. While it may appear to be a muscular disorder

Question 7

Does cerebral palsy appear as a muscle disorder?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Describe what cerebral palsy is due to?

Answer 8

Damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements

Question 9

True/False: cerebral palsy maybe due to a developmental abnormality or a brain injury prior to or shortly after birth?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What can these developmental abnormalities or a brain injury include?

Answer 10

1. cerebral haemorrhage
2. hypoxia
3. hypoglycaemia

Question 11

True/False: Not very often cerebral palsy can develop in early childhood as a result of brain damage after a head injury or infection such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis.

Answer 11

False - On occassion cerebral palsy can develop in early childhood as a result of brain damage after a head injury or infection such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis.

Question 12

Name 4 symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Answer 12

1. degrees of ataxia
2. stiff or tight muscles (spasticity)
3. hypertonic or hypotonic muscles
4. gait abnormalities

Question 13

Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

Name 3 treatments that may help cerebral palsy?

Answer 14

1. physiotherapy
2. rehabilitation
3. botox

Question 15

Definition of multiple sclerosis?

Answer 15

a progressive degenerative neurological disease with scattered patches of demyelination (destruction, removal of sheath around nerves) of nerve fibres of the brain and spinal cord. These fibres are replaced by scar tissue with a resulting loss of neural function and conduction.

Question 16

Name 11 symptoms of multiiple sclerosis?

Answer 16

1. almost any neurological system
2. tingling
3. numbness
4. muscle weakness or spasm
5. ataxia (failure of muscle coordination)
6. dysarthria (disturbance of speech)
7. dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing)
8. visual problems
9. fatique
10. pain
11. bladder and bowel incontinence

Question 17

Is multiple sclerosis a progressive disease?

Answer 17

Yes

Question 18

Can multiple sclerosis be episodic?

Answer 18

Yes with long periods of remission in between attacks

Question 19

Definition of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 19

a slowly progressive degenerative neurologic disorder. Nerve cells in the brain deteriorate causing a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Question 20

What is Parkinson’s disease characterized by?

Answer 20

1. rhythmic fine tremors
2. trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
3. stiffness of the limbs and joints
4. bradykinesia (abnormal slowness of movement)
5. impaired balance and co ordination
6. weakness and stiffness of the muscles
7. interference with speech, walking and daily tasks

Question 21

Is there a cure for Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 21

No

Question 22

Are there treatments for Parkinson’s disease aimed at improving symptoms?

Answer 22

Yes