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Em Year 1 Biomed, Semester 1 > Nervous System Pathologies > Flashcards

Nervous System Pathologies Flashcards

1
Q

What is the carpal tunnel?

A

An anatomical space that runs through the anterior region of the wrist.

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2
Q

Which nerve becomes compressed in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A

The median nerve

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3
Q

List 4 causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

A
  1. Fluid retention in the body (i.e, pregnancy)
  2. Overuse (vibrating tools, desk use)
  3. Rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism
  4. Trauma
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4
Q

List 3 signs/symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

A
  1. Pain, tingling and/or numbness in the hand
  2. Weak grip strength
  3. Symptoms worse at night
  4. Weak thumb opposition & dropping things
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5
Q

How would you diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A
  • Tinel’s test (tapping over median nerve)

- Phalen’s test

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6
Q

What’s the allopathic treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

A

Anti-inflammatories, steroid injection, wrist splint at night

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7
Q

Describe Bell’s Palsy.

A

A condition where the facial nerve becomes inflamed / compressed.

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8
Q

What is the most common cause of Bell’s Palsy?

A

Virus (usually herpes simplex virus)

Can also be trauma/injury/side effect of facial surgery.

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9
Q

What do cold sores and Bell’s Palsy have in common?

A

Herpes simplex virus involvement

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10
Q

List 2 signs / symptoms of Bell’s Palsy.

A
  1. Sudden unilateral weakness / paralysis of the facial muscles.
  2. Can’t close affected eye
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11
Q

What is the allopathic treatment for Bell’s Palsy?

A

Anti-viral drugs, cortisone

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12
Q

Describe Guillain-Barre Disease

A

A form of post-infectious, de-myelinating disease of peripheral nerves, with neuritis
It is an auto-immune disease.

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13
Q

What is neuritis?

A

Inflamed nerves

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14
Q

List 2 similarities between Guillain-Barre Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

A
  1. Both autoimmune diseases

2. Both de-myelinating

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15
Q

Which nervous system pathology causes ascending paralysis, usually starting at the feet and making its way upwards?

A

Guillain Barre Disease

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16
Q

What is the main cause/trigger of Guillain Barre Disease?

A

A recent respiratory or GIT infection (75% of cases)

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17
Q

Explain the pathophysiology of Guillain Barre Disease.

A

Around 3 weeks after a respiratory/GIT virus, the antibodies to the virus cross-react with the lipids in myelin around peripheral nerves. A case of mistaken identity.

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18
Q

Which neurological pathology might someone develop after vaccination?

A

Guillain Barre Syndrome

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19
Q

List 2 possible complications of Guillain Barre Syndrome

A

Heart failure and respiratory failure (& death) due to ascending paralysis.

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20
Q

List 4 signs/symptoms of Guillain Barre Syndrome.

A
  1. Ascending paralysis
  2. Tingling & pain in the legs
  3. Pins and needles
  4. Sensory changes
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21
Q

How is Guillain Barre Syndrome diagnosed?

A

Via nerve conduction tests down into the legs, and/or via lumbar puncture.

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22
Q

What is the allopathic treatment for Guillain Barre Syndrome?

A
  • Emergency care
  • Blood plasma exchange (to rid the body of the antibodies causing the issue)
    Intensive care & respirator
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23
Q

Name 2 nervous system pathologies that are auto-immune.

A
  1. Guillain Barre Syndrome

2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

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24
Q

Describe Multiple Sclerosis

A

An autoimmune, inflammatory disease associated with de-myelination of axons in the CNS.

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25
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of MS

A

T-lymphocytes attack myelin antigens, causing multiple areas of sclerosis along axons, which disrupts conduction.

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26
Q

Who is most at risk of MS?

A

People between 20 - 50 yrs old.

Women twice as likely to get MS.

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27
Q

There are 2 common patterns of MS. What are they?

A
  1. Relapsing-remitting pattern (85%)

2. Progressive

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28
Q

List 4 causes behind (the aetiology of) MS

A
  1. Vitamin D deficiency
  2. Vitamin B12 deficiency
  3. Genetic susceptibility, with environmental trigger
  4. EBV - Epstein Barr Virus
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29
Q

What is the biggest single risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis? Why is this?

A

Vitamin D deficiency

Vit D helps to produce myelin

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30
Q

List 5 signs/symptoms of MS

A
  1. Blindness / loss of vision
  2. Blurred vision, unilateral loss of vision
  3. Deafness
  4. Loss of balance
  5. Weakness
  6. Burning pain sensations
  7. Bladder urgency & incontinence
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31
Q

Which highly myelinated nerve is often affected in MS?

A

The optic nerve

32
Q

What is the most definitive way/method to diagnose MS?

A

MRI scan.

But, there is no one definitive test.

33
Q

Why do T-cells tend to attack the optic nerve, in MS?

A

Because the optic nerve is so densely myelinated.

34
Q

How is MS treated, allopathically?

A
  • Steroids and other immune modulating therapies
  • Pain killers
  • Physiotherapy
35
Q

How might you treat MS naturally?

A
  • Ketogenic diet
  • Anti-inflammatory diet
  • Vit D and Vit B12 supplementation
36
Q

What is Motor Neuron Disease?

A

The progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, motor cortex and brain stem.
So basically, the degeneration of any motor pathway in the CNS.

37
Q

Which pathology do we think is associated with oxidative stress and subsequent damage to mitochondria in motor neurons?

A

Motor Neuron Disease

38
Q

Do patients with motor neuron disease present with any sensory symptoms?

A

No

39
Q

How do patients with motor neuron disease usually present?

A

With paralysis and weakness

40
Q

Who are the at risk age and gender groups for motor neuron disease?

A
  • Predominantly affects men

- Age 50-70yrs (but any age over 40)

41
Q

List 3 signs/symptoms of early motor neuron disease.

A
  1. Weakness in upper limbs (i.e, dropping things, weak grip)
  2. Wasting of hand muscles
  3. At-rest tremor in limbs
42
Q

List 3 signs/symptoms of late-stage motor neuron disease.

A
  1. Tripping over
  2. Slurred speech
  3. Dyspnoea
  4. Difficulty swallowing
43
Q

What is the prognosis of motor neuron disease?

A

Patients usually die within 3-5yrs of prognosis (usually via respiratory failure).
There is currently no cure.

44
Q

Name a well-known person who had Motor Neuron Disease

A

Stephen Hawking. He lived well beyond his prognosis.

45
Q

What is Dementia?

A

A syndrome caused by a number of brain disorders.

46
Q

What are the classic 3 signs of Dementia?

A
  1. Memory loss
  2. Decline in cognition
  3. Difficulty performing daily activities
47
Q

What is the most common type of Dementia (accounting for approximately 50% of cases)?

A

Alzheimer’s Disease

48
Q

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

A

A degenerative condition, affecting the cerebral cortex, coupled with low levels of acetylcholine and the deposition of protein plaques (beta-amyloid plaques)

49
Q

Which part of the brain is affected by Alzheimers Disease?

A

The cerebral cortex

50
Q

Which form of dementia is associated with low acetylcholine production?

A

Alzheimers Disease

51
Q

Alzheimers Disease is associated with the deposition of _______ ________ plaques.

A

Beta amyloid plaques

52
Q

List 2 types of dementia.

A
  1. Vascular Dementia

2. Alzheimers Disease

53
Q

Which type of dementia can be caused by multiple strokes / reduced oxygen delivery to areas of the brain?

A

Vascular dementia

54
Q

What is the umbrella term given to disorders affecting brain cognition?

A

Dementia

55
Q

Can cognitive decline be reversed?

A

Yes

56
Q

Which pathology primarily involves the emotional and memory areas of the brain (amygdala and hippocampus)?

A

Alzheimers Disease

57
Q

In what pathology would you see shrinking of the cerebral cortex and atrophy of neurons?

A

Alzheimers Disease

58
Q

In which area of the brain do we store and ingrain memories?

A

The hippocampus

59
Q

What percentage of the population are affected by Alzheimers Disease by 80yrs of age?

A

20%

60
Q

List 4 causes associated with Alzheimers Disease.

A
  1. Heavy metal toxicity (excessive copper, mercury & aluminium)
  2. Polysorbate 80 (in vaccines)
  3. Genetics - AopE4 gene (<1% cases)
  4. Chronic inflammation
  5. Insulin resistance
  6. Leaky gut (dairy & gluten)
  7. Oral bacteria (P.gingivalis)
  8. Herpes Simplex virus
  9. Nutritional deficiencies (B vits, Omega 3)
  10. Lack of oestrogen
  11. Underactive thyroid
  12. Stress & high cortisol
  13. Hypertension / CV disease (high levels of Homocysteine)
61
Q

List 3 signs and symptoms of early-stage Alzheimers Disease.

A
  1. Slight. short term memory loss
  2. Confusion / repeated questions
  3. Loss of interest in hobbies
  4. Decline in hygiene motivation
62
Q

List 3 signs and symptoms of late-stage Alzheimers Disease

A
  1. Significant memory loss
  2. Long term memory loss
  3. Mood disturbances
  4. Confusion, struggle to understand jokes
  5. Difficulty with language
  6. Unsteady, disorientated
  7. Depression
63
Q

List 3 ways in which you could investigate a diagnosis for Alzheimers Disease.

A
  1. The mini mental state exam (MMSE)
  2. MRI
  3. CT Scan
64
Q

Which (largely ineffective) drug is often used allopathically in Alzheimers Disease?

A

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

65
Q

How long do Alzheimers patients live with the disease, following onset of symptoms?

A

5 - 20 years

66
Q

What is Parkinsons Disease?

A

A progressive, neurological disorder affecting movement.

67
Q

What is the pathophysiology of Parkinsons Disease (2 things)?

A
  1. The degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra area of the brain.
  2. Accumulation of abnormal proteins (‘Lewy bodies’)
68
Q

List 3 proposed causes of Parkinsons Disease.

A
  1. Oxidative stress
  2. Prolonged exposure to toxins (i.e, chemicals, herbicides, pesticides)
  3. Mitochondrial dysfunction/damage
  4. Diets low in polyunsaturated fats
  5. Constipation
69
Q

List 3 signs / symptoms of Parkinsons Disease.

A
  1. Short, shuffling gait
  2. Resting “pill rolling” hand tremor
  3. Stooped / flexed posture
  4. Muscle rigidity, ‘masked’ face
  5. Deep / low voice
70
Q

Why does degeneration of dopaminergic neurons lead to the classic movement-centred symptoms in Parkinsons Disease?

A

Because dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in control of body movement.
Less dopamine = less control over body movement.

71
Q

Name the allopathic medication often given to Parkinsons Disease patients.

A

Levodopa (dopamine replacement)

72
Q

Describe Huntingtons Disease

A

An inherited (genetic), neurodegenerative disorder affecting the basal ganglia of the brain.

73
Q

Which area of the brain is affected in Huntingtons Disease?

A

The basal ganglia

74
Q

Which genetic neurological disease is associated with a defect on Chromosome 4?

A

Huntingtons Disease

75
Q

Which neurological disease is associated with excessive, uncontrolled jerky body movements (called ‘chorea’)?

A

Huntingtons Disease

76
Q

How would a patient with Huntingtons Disease present?

A
  • Uncontrolled jerky body movements
  • Loss of intellect
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Poor mood & emotions regulation

Em Year 1 Biomed, Semester 1 (16 decks)

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