Workshop 8: Inner Ear and Vertigo Flashcards
Recap: What is Parkinson’s disease?
A degenerative disorder that affects nerve cells within the basal ganglia and the substantia nigra (interferes with dopamine system)
Recap: Which population are most affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Older populations (Particularly males)
Recap: How does Parkinson’s disease affect the brain and what are the symptoms of Parkinson’s?
Causes degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons connecting the substantia nigra with the caudate nucleus.
Common physical symptoms include bradykinesia (slowness in movement), resting tremor, rigidity and postural instability
What was the pioneering treatment for parkinson’s in the video?
A Ultrasound surgery – focusing high intensity ultrasound – to “burn out” a section of the thalamus responsible for the tremor (not a cure, but alleviates symptoms)
How many pairs of nerves are there in the brain?
43
How many of these are cranial nerves?
12
How many of these are spinal nerves?
31
What are the Otoconia?
Calcium carbonate ear crystals
- Movement of these crystals by endolymph is picked up by the otholithic membrane
Transduced to from mechanical to chemical and then electrical energy
(all in the organs of the vestibule)
3 clinical conditions
- Labyrinthitis
- Tinnitus
- Benign paroxsmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Labyrinthisis:
Inflammation / infection of the labrynth
Tinnitus:
a hallucination ringing, can be triggered by loud noise
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Disorder of the inner ear - symptoms including vertigo, dizziness, and vomiting
(Inflammation of this system, get a spinning sensation)
Treatments of Labyrnthitis:
- Dizziness & vertigo
○ Antibiotics
○ Antivirals
Vestibular rehabilitation (aim to realign ear crystals by movements) using Brandt-Daroff exercises
Tinitus treatment:
Sound therapies
CBT
What causes the Leans Illusion?
- Pilots determine which way up they are based on the vestibular system
Consequences due to illusions before technology put into place
