Unit 4: Week 4 Flashcards
What is an EEG?
Electroencephalogram- measures electrical activity on the surface of the skull using electrodes on the scalp. signals received and amplified by the EEG machine and recorded as trace.
What can an EEG be used for?
It is real time and brain can be provoked to trigger normal activity. Strobe lights and sleep deprivation are stressful stimuli. Can be done ambulatory to record activity over a long period of time. Help diagnose as a normal EEG as a normal EEG can change to an abnormal EEG over time. EEGs can be used to diagnose epilepsy where there’s abnormal/uncoordinated electrical activity between neurons.
What is neuropathy?
The abnormal function of nerves, could be through damage and disease. can affect sensory, motor and autonomic nerves. This could be through altered or absent sensations or movement, or altered autonomic functions.
What is the monofilament test?
Monofilament beds under light pressure, can be used to assess sensation in sensory neuropathy. People with SN have decreased protective sensations and are at an increased risk of doing damage. The test denoted with a plus or minus for negative sensation or positive sensation.
What are neuropathic ulcers?
They are common in diabetes where sensory or peripheral neuropathy leads to decreased sensation and repetitive stress. When skin hardens it may cause breaking from wear, increased risk of infection with poor blood supply leads to amputations.
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by a bacterial infection that leads to nerve damage. lack of protective sensation (pain) will result in repeated damage or infections from wounds resulting in a loss of parts of extremities.
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina Bifida is a condition where during embryonic development the neural tube (fetal spinal cord) doesn’t close properly. A highly arched foot plus loss of sensation may be linked to Spina Bifida.
What are the three types of Spina Bifida?
Spina Bifida occulta- a portion of the vertebrae known as the posterior vertebral body is open but nothing is protruding.
Minigioceal is the open posterior body however there is a protrusion of the meninges.
Myelomeningocle is the opening of the posterior vertebral body, protrusion of the meninges and protrusion of the spinal cord.
What are some other factors that result in neuropathy?
Heavy alcohol consumption- chronic alcohol use damages peripheral nerves, difficulty transmitted signals between body and CNS.
Vitamin B12 deficiency- a vitamin that is absorbed through animal products, can cause nerve damage, 8 months can be stored in the body. A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath that protects nerves.
What is multiple sclerosis?
it’s a slow progressing CNS disease causing demyelination in neurons in the CNS resulting in a poor propagation of AP down the CNS. Plaques are lesions where the immune system attacks the white matter of the CNS. There are usually remissions and exacerbations.
What are the causes/aetiology of MS?
MS appears to have familial tendencies, is more common in women (2-1), distance from the equator increases risk. You retain risk based on where you spent the first 15 years of your life. Thought to be linked to vitamin D as there’s less in northern climates.
What are some signs and symptoms of MS?
Flashing lights, ocular disturbances, tunnel vision, exacerbated after shower/bath/hot to cold, damage to the optic nerve (this is peripheral nervous system), abnormal sensations in hands and feet, uncoordinated limb movement, transient/passing weakness.
What are some motor signs?
Exaggerated tendon reflex due to demyelination of inhibitory nerves in the CNS, intention tremors (shaking prior to doing a task), hemiplegia, incontinence (faecal/urinary).
What are some sensory symptoms?
Paraesthesia, abnormal touch perception (in rare instances can be absent), decreased perception of vibration in limbs (not for MS)- this is detected using a tuning fork as the neurons associated with this sensation are thin and unmyelinated.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
A result of degeneration in the substantia nigra, which produces dopamine. It also affects receptors stimulated by dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter used in parts of the brain that coordinate movement.
