Week 4 Flashcards
What are the 2 ways a person can be unconscious?
Sleep
Coma
What are the 3 levels of Consciousness?
Wakefulness (alert, detects objects)
Core Consciousness (wakefulness + emotional response and memory)
Extended Consciousness (all above + self awareness, language and creativity)
How does an EEG (electroencephalogram) work?
Picks up activity of synchronised dendritic activity (the more neurons synchronised, the bigger the peaks on EEH)
Doesn’t pick up individual neurons
How do neurons become synchronised?
Either by neuronal interconnections or by pacemaker
How many pairs of electrodes are used in an EEG?
19 pairs
List the stages of sleep?
Awake
Stage 1-4
REM
Describe the Awake stage of sleep
Eyes closed - alpha high frequency + low amp
Eyes open - beta waves + waves of activity
Describe Stage 1 of sleep
Easily roused, slow rolling eye movements
Some theta waves w/ slower freq + higher amp waves
Describe Stage 2 of sleep
Begin K complexes & sleep spindles
No eye movement but body movement still possible
Describe Stage 3 of sleep
Slower freq w/ delta waves
Harder to rouse
Few spindles
Describe Stage 4 of sleep
Deepest sleep, hardest to rouse
High amplitude (delta waves)
Heart rate & BP lower
Describe REM sleep
Fast beta waves and REM
Easier to rouse than stage 4
Dreaming, recalled + low muscle tone
What structure in the brain helps turn on and off sleep?
Reticular formation through interactions w/ thalamus
Excitation of the reticular formation will lead to what result in the context of sleep?
Depolarisation of thalamus (excitation) which will lead to non-rhythmic output from thalamus, therefore Increased arousal
Inhibition of the reticular formation will lead to what result in the context of sleep?
Hyperpolarisation of the thalamus (less excited) which will lead to rhythmic output of the thalamus, therefore slow EEG waves in cerebral cortex
What is the broad definition of Epilepsy?
A continuing tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures
What are individuals w/ epilepsy at risk of?
SUDEP
Sudden Unexpected Death
1 in 1,000 epileptics
How do you realistically determine what type of epileptic seizures an individual suffers from?
History taking and witness testimony of the seizure
+/- Aura, Deja vu, Fear, Warning
Abnormal Movements
Memory loss after, confusion
What are the 3 main categories of epileptic seizures?
Focal (Aware / Unaware)
Generalised seizures
Unclassified seizures
What are all the subtypes of Generalised seizures?
Absence (typical / atypical)
Myoclonic
Clonic
Clonic-tonic
Tonic
Atonic
What are some potential symptoms of Focal aware seizures?
Consciousness is preserved
Aura
Elaborate motor output
Rhythmic movement
May see faces
Contralateral visual hallucination
Underwater hearing
Hear music
What are some symptoms of Focal unaware seizures?
May be impaired consciousness
Temporal lobe seizures not common (40% of all cases)
Often benign with aura, linked to location
Automatisms & unusual sounds
Occasionally autonomic responses
Post ictal headache w/ confusion
May evolve into Generalised seizures
Describe Typical Absence seizures
Sudden onset (no aura)
Abrupt cessation
Brief duration (20s)
May be w/ clonic jerking of eyelids
Describe Atypical Absence seizures
Postural tone changes
Autonomic phenomena
Automatisms
What can’t be used to treat Myoclonic seizures?
Carbamazepine
Describe Atonic seizures
Sudden loss of postural tone; often in children but can be present w/ adults
Describe Tonic-clonic seizures
Major convulsions w/ rigidity (tonic) and jerking (clonic)
slows over 60-120 sec
Describe Status Epilepticus
More than 5 mins of continuous conclusive seizure activity
or
2 or more sequential seizures spanning this period without full recovery between seizure
What are some diagnostic tests for Epilepsy?
ECG (cardiac problems can correlate with epilepsy)
EEG
CT scan (only if suspicious of brain tumour)
MRI (areas of scarring, reduced perfusion)
What may pre-dispose one to an epileptic seizure?
Scar tissue
Developmental issues
Pyramidal cell damage
Tumours
What are examples of potential triggers of epileptic seizures?
Tiredness
Alcohol
Certain drugs
Change of medication
Treatment for epilepsy
Anti-Epileptics (AED)
Treats the symptoms of epilepsy but not the cause
Targets for AEDs
Supress excit neurotransmitter system (inhib Na channels)
Enhance the inhib neurotransmitter system (GABA (Benzodiazepines))
Block voltage-gated inwards +ve currents (NA+ or Ca++)
Increase outward +ve current (K+)
Many AEDs pleiotropic
What is always present in Generalised seizures?
Alteration to consciousness
What are some drugs used in the treatment of Focal onset seizures?
Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
What are some drugs used in the treatment of Generalised onset seizure?
Valproic acid
Lamotrigine
What drug is used to treat Absence seizures?
Ethosuximide
What mechanisms happens to cause Hebbian learning?
Cells fire simultaneously to increase the synaptic associations
Define Habituation
The process by which repeated stimulus leads to a decreased response (& decreased NT release)
Define Sensitisation
The process by which repeated stimulus leads to an increased response
This is mediated by an interneuron
Describe long term potentiation (LTP)
Needed for long term memory, +ve reinforcement of a signal will lead to a strengthened signal
PATH SPECIFIC
Describe long term depression (LTD)
Used to modulate LTP or even reverse it
When synapses become less efficient at transmitting signals
Describe short term memory
Brief memory (seconds)
Easily displaced by another stimulus
Can be extended into working memory by:
a) repetition in phonic loop or
b) chunking which links familiar chunks together to extend the size of chunk
What is the most commonly used clinical test for short term memory chunks?
Digit span - told no. of digits and asked to immediately repeat same numbers (norm is about 6-7 digits)
Define working memory
Maintenance and integration of info in an active state for a relatively brief time in order to achieve a short term task/goal
Mixture of short and/or long term memory
Long term memory can be divided into what 2 groups?
Declarative memory
&
Non-declarative memory
What are the 4 steps in the process of learning?
Encoding (mem created)
Storage (persistence of mem traces)
Retrieval (mem recovery)
Consolidation (strengthening of mem traces)
What are some structural changes that happen during consolidation in learning?
Formation of more receptors or even more dendritic spines
What structures are involved in non-declarative memory?
Amygdala
Caudate nuc.
Putamen
Cerebellum
What’s the difference between retrograde and anterograde amnesia?
Retro is losing memories from their past, Antero is when they can’t properly form new memories
What was one valuable piece of info did we gather from the case of HM?
Declarative, non-declarative, short term and long term memory are not processed in the same place or by the same mechanisms
What is the role of association areas along with sub-cortical components within cognition?
Determine the perceptual qualities of the modality
What is multi-sensory integration?
Combination of processed sensory perceptions are used to determine what is happening and where it’s happening
Describe the process by which multi-sensory integration occurs
Sub-cortical structures & association fibres move info through the association cortices for processing + integration to become either a reflex or a cognitive state
What does the McGurk effect show?
Visual info is more valuable than auditory info
Define Synaesthesia
The conflation of sensory experiences from one sensory domain with those from another, or the mixing of two modalities of the same sensory domain
eg. colour-graphemic synaesthesia
What is conduction aphasia?
Link between Wernicke’s and Broca’s area is damaged
typically means reduced ability to repeat spoken words
Define Wernicke’s aphasia
Nonsensical speech due to reduced comprehension of speech
Can’t understand their own or others speech (also affects reading words)
Define Broca’s aphasia
Aka motor or non-fluent aphasia
Patients have difficulty speaking - often stuttering to find right word. Aware they are making little sense. No problem responding to the spoken or written word, can comprehend
Define Aprosodia
Robotic or monotonic speech patterns due to damage in non dominant lobe affecting variation in tone of voice
What is a unique trait about split brain patients and describing objects felt in either hand?
Assuming L dom hemisphere, they wont be able to describe objects felt in left hand nor objects seen on left side
What are potential causes of a lesion from fastest onset of symptoms to slowest?
Vascular risk factors
Infectious
Autoimmune
Tumour / Metastasis
Degenerative neuron disease
If a patient presents with problems with eye movement, where is there likely to be a problem in the brainstem?
Midbrain
If a patient presents with problems with mastication, where is there likely to be a problem in the brainstem?
Pons
If a patient presents with problems with phonation, speech and/or swallowing, where is there likely to be a problem in the brainstem?
Medulla
What are the 4 general functions of the limbic system?
Emotion + drives (amygdala)
Homeostasis + motivation (hypothalamus)
Olfaction (olfactory cortex)
Memory (hippocampus)
Where is the Amygdala located?
Anterior to the tip of the hippocampus in the temporal lobe
Where are the Amygdala’s most significant afferent fibres from?
Frontal, Temporal and Parietal lobes receiving cognitive info
Where are the amygdala’s most significant efferent fibres going to?
Hypothalamus and limbic cortex providing emotional cognisance, and visceral/homeostatic info
What is Kluver-Bucy syndrome?
Bilateral temporal lobe lesions often affecting hippocampus and/or amygdala
What are symptoms of Kluver-Bucy syndrome?
Visual recognition impairment for fear in others
Heightened sexual appetite
Flattened emotions
Oral tendencies (hyperorality)
What are common symptoms of lesions in the amygdala?
A loss of recognition of fear and anger in other’s faces
What is the main effector of the limbic system?
Hypothalamus
What are the main groups of functions of the Hypothalamus?
Vegetative functions (Homeostasis)
Endocrine functions (Hypophyseal)
Behavioural functions
What is the role of the anterior Insular cortex
Provides introspection that allows the interpretation of sensation as joy or disgust
What sections of the limbic system has reduced activity in depression?
Ventromedial portion of prefrontal cortex (goal setting / planning)
Cingulate Gyrus (emotion / cognition)
The Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus connects links what 3 CN’s in eye movement?
Oculomotor III
Trochlear IV
Abducens VI
Hypothalamus receives afferents from what structures?
Neocortex
Eyes
Amygdala
Spinal cord
Pain & sens integration in brainstem nuclei
Hypothalamus sends efferents to what structures?
Neocortex
Spinal cord
Amygdala
Medulla
Ant. & Post. Hypophyseal
Pain & sens integration in brainstem nuclei
Describe the Limbic reward loop
Originates in the Ventral Tegmentum (dopamine) and projects to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala & hippocampus as well as nuc. accumbens and ventral pallidum
Big role in Motivations and Addictions
How does limbic system help with pain management?
Limbic system interconnects with PAG (periaqueductal grey matter). PAG can reduce activity in ascending pain pathway w/ its effects agonised by endorphins (and opiates)
What is the relationship between Bipolar disorder and the Ventromedial portion of the Prefrontal cortex?
In depressive phase this is virtually inactive
In manic phase this is hyperactive
What is the relationship between Bipolar disorder and the Cingulate gyrus?
ant. portion is more active during depressive phase and less active during manic
Opposite for the post. portion
What is the mortality from meningococcal Meningitis as well as meningococcal Sepsis?
15% & 40% respectively
What are some possible complications of meningitis?
Seizures
Hearing issues
Other CN problems
Focal paralysis
ect.
What are some possible complications of sepsis?
Limb amputations
Arthritis + joint pain
Skin necrosis + scarring
Organ dysfunction
What is the difference between Meningitis and Encephalitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma
Define sepsis
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by body’s extreme, dysregulated response to infection
If infectious agents breach the BBB, what condition will this person get?
Encephalitis
If infectious agents breach the Blood-CSF barrier, what condition will this person get?
Meningitis
What are the 3 main causes of meningitis?
—Infection—
Auto-immune disease
Malignancy
How could you roughly identify what bacteria may be causing meningitis when a patient comes to you?
By their age
Different bacteria will cause meningitis based on age
Describe Neisseria Meningitidis
G -ve Bacteria
Normal microbiota in nasopharynx
transmission via droplet spread
Describe Haemophilus Influenzae
G -ve Bacteria
6 capsular serotypes (a-f)
Describe Streptococcus Pneumoniae
G +ve Bacteria
Normal microbiota in nasopharynx
Common cause of meningitis in young children and adults with specific risk factors
What are the 3 main bacteria that cause meningitis?
Neisseria Meningitidis
Haemophilus Influenzae
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
What are some clinical features of Meningitis in babies/young children?
Fever
Headache
Non-blanching rash
Photophobia
Seizures
What are some diagnostic blood tests you can do to look for meningitis?
Biochemistry - U&E, lactate, glucose
Haematology - FBC, clotting
Microbiology - blood culture, PCR
What are some diagnostic CSF tests you can do to look for meningitis?
Biochemistry - protein & glucose
Microbiology - WBC count, PCR, Bacteria culture
How do you typically treat bacterial meningitis?
Antibiotics
+/-
Steroids
How do we prevent bacterial meningitis?
Routine vaccinations
What is different between bacterial and viral meningitis?
Viral is less severe and more common than bacterial
How do we identify viral meningitis?
PCR or CSF
What treatment is there for viral meningitis?
None as it’s regarded as ‘benign’ & self limiting
What is the most common cause of Encephalitis?
Herpes Simplex Virus - 1
(HSV-1)
What are the main symptoms & signs of encephalitis?
Altered Cerebration:
confusion, abnormal behaviour, seizures, fever
How do we treat Encephalitis?
High dose IV Aciclovir
What often cause brain abscess’?
Oral nasopharyngeal microbiota
What is the pathophysiology of brain abscess’?
Diffuse inflammation -> focal lesion and pia matter suppuration
What are the symptoms & signs of a brain abscess?
Headache, focal neurology, seizures
How do we test for brain abscess’?
CT / MRI scan
+/- invasive sampling
How do we treat brain abscess’?
Antibiotics
What are the 2 segments of the eye called?
Ant. and Post. Segment
What is the largest layer of the Cornea?
Stroma
What is the role of the Endothelial cells in the Cornea?
Remove water/moisture from the stroma to keep it dry (allows clear vision)
What is the Near Triad?
Miosis
Convergence
Accommodation
Related to looking at a very close object
What is the name of a refractive error in the eye?
Presbyopia (need glasses)
What is it called to be near sighted?
Myopia
What is it called to be long sighted?
Hypermetropia
What is an individual with Myopia more at risk of also getting?
Open angle glaucoma
Retinal detachment
What is an individual with Hypermetropia more at risk of also getting?
Angle closure glaucoma
Ischaemic optic neuropathy
What is the main cause of visual impairment in the world?
Uncorrected refractive error (URE)
What is the main cause of blindness in the world?
Cataracts
What is the difference between a Snellen chart and an Arclight chart?
Arclight is 50% smaller w/ 50% smaller letters (also use at 50% distance ie. 3m instead of 6m)
When is a person deemed blind by WHO?
When they can’t read any letters from 3m (worse than 3/60 vision)
What is Trachoma?
Scarring of cornea due to Chlamydia
Name all structures in the Ant. Segment of eye
^^^
What are the differences between Rods and Cones in the Eye?
^^^
What cells deal with peripheral vision?
Rods
What cells deal with focused vision?
Cones
What vitamin is important for retinal health and what will be a result of deficiency in this vitamin?
Vit A
Night blindness -> Total blindness -> Death
What retinal issue is more apparent in richer countries?
Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
What structures act as innate defence for the eye?
Orbit & eyelids
Tears + mucin
Ocular Epithelium
What structures act as adaptive defence for the eye?
Eye-associated lymphoid tissue
Langerhan’s cells
Lymphocytes
What is the function of Lysozyme and where is it found?
Enzyme that cleaves bacterial peptidoglycans and also helps to protect against viruses and fungi
Found in tears, saliva, and mucous
What is the function of Lactoferrin and where is it found?
Binds iron - starves bacteria and fungi, disrupts cell walls, anti-viral
Found in tears, saliva, mucous, and milk
Lysozyme and Lactoferrin work together to help protect against what type of Bacteria?
Gramm -ve
What are some common eye infections?
Conjunctivitis
Keratitis (viral, bacterial)
Onchocerciasis (parasitic infection)
Orbital Cellulitis (pre/post septal)
What are 2 common causes of conjunctivitis in baby?
Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia
What is one risk factor for Bacterial Keratitis?
Contact lenses that are left in for too long
What are some causes of Corneal ulcers?
Tear film deficiencies
Eyelid malformation / dysfunction
Endogenous cause
Exogenous cause
What are some symptoms of HSV Keratitis?
Always unilateral
Painful, red, watery, photophobic
Dendritic ulcer, new vessels, scarring
What is used to treat HSV Keratitis?
Topical and oral Aciclovir
What may cause Trachoma?
Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Chronic Keratoconjunctivitis
What is used to treat Onchocerciasis?
Ivermectin
What are some signs of Orbital Cellulitis?
Swelling
Redness
Limited eye movement
Proptosis
Diplopia w/ pain
What pathogens may cause Orbital Cellulitis?
Haemophilus Influenzae
Staphylococcus Aureus
What is Retinochoroiditis often related with?
HIV / AIDS / Toxoplasma
What is used to treat Toxoplasmosis due to Retinochroiditis?
Corticosteroids
What is used to treat Cytomegalovirus retinitis during late HIV disease?
Antiviral Ganciclovir
What may cause Endophthalmitis in the eye AND how is it treated?
Post intra-ocular operation
Trauma w/ inoculation of foreign body
Intra-ocular & systemic antibiotics
What are some common infections of the ear and nose?
Otitis Externa (bac + fungal / acute or chronic)
Otitis Media (viral + bac / acute, chronic, suppurative)
Mastoiditis (bac)
Sinusitis (acute or chronic)
Who is most effected by Otitis Media AND what are some signs?
Small children, 50% viral in origin
Red ears, fever, poor feeding, restlessness, hearing difficulties
What is Mastoiditis a severe complication of AND what are some symptoms and treatments?
Otitis Media
Redness, tenderness and pain behind ear
Treat w/ IV antibiotics
What does sinusitis often follow?
Common cold
What are some common issues of the throat?
Common cold
Acute Pharyngitis - sore throat
Cytomegalovirus
Tonsilitis
What are some common symptoms of Viral Conjunctivitis?
Sticky eyes
Watery
Pink
Itchy
What pathogens cause Viral Conjunctivitis?
Coronaviruses
&
Rhinoviruses
What are some common symptoms of Adenovirus Conjunctivitis?
Bilateral, v sticky, red and painful eye
Enlarged ipsilateral Periauricular lymph node
What are some common symptoms of Bacterial Conjunctivitis?
Similar to viral (sticky, red and painful)
Discharge more yellow and thick
What are some potential causes of Bacterial Conjuntivitis?
Haemophilus Influenzae
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Name some drugs that could be used to treat Bacterial Conjunctivitis?
Chloramphenicol
Fusidic Acid
What are some symptoms of Cytomegalovirus infections?
Cold-like symptoms
Sore throat
Fever
Fatigue
Swollen glands
What would be used to treat Cytomegalovirus infections?
Ganciclovir
What is a Quinsy Peritonsillar Abscess?
Collection of pus between tonsillar capsule and sup. constrictor muscles
How do we treat Quinsy Peritonsillar Abscess’?
Needle aspiration / drainage
IV antibiotics
IV steroids
What is the name of the position children w/ acute Epiglottitis may take?
Tripod position