Neurological Flashcards

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1
Q

myasthenia gravis

A

Long-term neuromuscular junction disease; communication between nerves and muscles breaks down. Causes muscles under voluntary control to feel weak and get tired quickly; eyes, face, swallowing. Can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble talking, and trouble walking

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2
Q

frontotemporal dementia

A

umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain where portions of these lobes shrink (atrophy); associated with personality, behavior, language. Often misdiagnosed as Alzheimers/ psychiatric problem.

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3
Q

extrapyramidal symptoms

A

aka “Drug induced movement disorders”. Describe the side effects caused by certain antipsychotic and other drugs. These side effects include: involuntary or uncontrollable movements, tremors, muscle contractions, restlessness, irritability

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4
Q

akathisia

A

Akathisia is a side effect of older, first-generation antipsychotic drugs used to treat mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; uncontrollable urge to move and a sense of restlessness. To relieve the urge, they engage in repetitive movements (rocking, pacing, panic, irritability)

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5
Q

encephalomalacia

A

cerebral softening; a localized softening, due to bleeding or inflammation, often stroke. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different stages of the disease progress, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white softening

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6
Q

dysarthria

A

motor speech disorder where damage to your nervous system causes the muscles that produce speech to become paralyzed or weakened. The damage may make it difficult to control your tongue or voice box, causing you to slur words. Can be inherited or acquired via Parkinson’s or brain damage (stroke)

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7
Q

cogwheeling/ Cogwheel phenomenom

A

A type of rigidity seen in people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s often an early symptom used for diagnosis. Your muscle will be stiff, like in other forms of rigidity. But you might also have tremors in the same muscle when it’s at rest. Most commonly in the arms.

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8
Q

Dix-Hallpike maneuver

A

Test to diagnose BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) - a common type of vertigo; a common inner ear disorder that causes a sudden spinning sensation when you move your head into certain positions. It consists of a series of movements to perform while a provider observes the response.

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9
Q

saphenous nerve

A

Runs down the back of the leg; enables sensation in the knee, lower leg, foot, and ankle. Injuries are uncommon due to deep position.

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10
Q

TPJ Temporoparietal junction

A

Srea of the brain where the temporal and parietal lobes meet, at the posterior end of the lateral sulcus. The TPJ incorporates information from the thalamus and the limbic system as well as from the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems

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11
Q

tentorium cerebelli

A

an extension of the dura mater between the inferior aspect of the occipital lobes and the superior aspect of the cerebellum. The free border of the gives passage to the midbrain.

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12
Q

thalamus

A

Large mass of gray matter, dual lobed topmost part of forebrain. Relaying of sensory signals, including motor signals to the cerebral cortex and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness.

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13
Q

theta brain waves

A

Occur when you’re sleeping or dreaming, but they don’t occur during the deepest phases of sleep. Can also occur when you’re awake, but in a very deeply relaxed state of mind; a state that some may describe as “autopilot.”

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14
Q

transsphenoidal surgery

A

endoscope or surgical instruments are inserted into the brain via the sphenoid bone in the nose into the sinus cavity. Removes tumors of the pituitary gland.

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15
Q

ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) shunt

A

Surgical procedure primarily treating hydrocephalus (excess CSF in the brains ventricles). Most often in babies or older aldults. Drains and relieves pressure on the brain.

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16
Q

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

A

Brain and memory disorder that requires immediate treatment. Due to a severe lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), which causes brain damage. B1 is an essential vitamin that your body uses to convert food into energy. Chronic alcohol use can effect absorption.

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17
Q

absence (neurological)

A

seizure involving brief loss of consciousness without motor involvement

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18
Q

agnosia

A

any loss of neurological function associated with interpretation of sensory information

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19
Q

Alzheimer disease

A

Disease of structural changes in the brain; resulting in irreversible deterioration that progresses from forgetfulness, disorientation, loss of intellect fxning, total disability, death.

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20
Q

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS

A

condition of progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells; progress from muscle weakness in extremities/speech/swallowing/breathing to total paralysis

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21
Q

anorexia nervosa

A

severe disturbance in eating behavior caused by abnormal perceptions of one’s own body weight

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22
Q

aphasia

A

impaired/absent comprehension or production of/communication by: speech, writing, or signs; due to acquired lesion of dominant cerebral hemisphere

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23
Q

astereognosis

A

inability to judge the form of an object by touch

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24
Q

atopognosis

A

inability to locate sensation properly; locate a point of body touched

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25
Q

ADHD

A

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; dysfunction characterized by hyperactivity, distractibility, lack of control over impulses

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26
Q

autism

A

developmental disability from neurological disorder affecting brain function

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27
Q

bulimia nervosa

A

eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by efforts to limit digestion

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28
Q

catatonia

A

state of unresponsiveness to one’s outside environment

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29
Q

catatonic schizophrenia

A

(obsolete, more often bipolar) schizophrenic disposition featuring catatonia; psychomotor disturbances w/ periods of physical rigidity/stupor or hyperactive movements

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30
Q

cerebral aneurysm

A

dilation of a blood vessel in the brain

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31
Q

cerebral arteriosclerosis

A

hardening of arteries of the brain

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32
Q

cerebral atherosclerosis

A

condition of fat buildup within blood vessels of the brain (athero is a specific type of arteriosclerosis)

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33
Q

cerebral embolism

A

obstruction of a blood vessel in the brain via an embolus transported through circulation

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34
Q

cerebral palsy CP

A

condition of motor dysfunction caused by damage tot he cerebrum during development or injury at birth; partial paralysis and lack of muscle coordination

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35
Q

cerebral thrombosis

A

stationary clot in a blood vessel of the brain

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36
Q

cerebrovascular accident stroke CVA

A

damage to the brain caused by cerebrovascular disease - a change within 1 or more blood vessels in the brain

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37
Q

coma

A

general term for levels of decreased consciousness with varying responsiveness

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38
Q

convulsion

A

type of seizure that causes a series of sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles

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39
Q

delirium

A

state of mental confusion due to disturbance in cerebral functioning

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40
Q

delusion

A

persistent believe that has no basis in reality

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41
Q

dementia

A

impairment of intellectual function; memory loss, disorientation, confusion

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42
Q

disorganized schizophrenia / hebephrenia

A

featuring disorganized speech, behavior, and flat or inappropriate affect. Impairs a person’s ability to collect and organize their thoughts.

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43
Q

dysarthria

A

condition of difficult articulation

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44
Q

dyphasia

A

difficulty speaking

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45
Q

dysphoria

A

restless, dissatisfied mood; anxiety, depression, irritable

46
Q

dysthymia

A

milder affective disorder; chronic depression persisting for at least 2 years

47
Q

epilepsy

A

disorder affecting CNS resulting in recurrent seizures

48
Q

euphoria

A

exaggerated, unfounded feeling of wellbeing.

49
Q

fissures

A

deep grooves in the brain

50
Q

flaccid paralysis

A

defective or absent muscle control caused by a nerve lesion

51
Q

flat affect

A

significantly dulled emotional tone or outward reaction

52
Q

generalized anxiety disorder GAD

A

most common anxiety; chronic, excessive, uncontrollable worry

53
Q

glioma

A

glial cell overgrowth; usually grow in the brain, but can also form in the spinal cord, tumor of cells graded by degree of malignancy

54
Q

hemiplegia

A

paralysis on one side of the body

55
Q

hemiparesis

A

partial paralysis on the right of left half of the body

56
Q

herniated disk

A

potrusion of a degenerated or fragmented intervertebral disk so that the nucleus puposus potrudes, causing nerve root compression

57
Q

herpes zoster “Shingles”

A

viral disease affecting periphereal nerbes; painful blisters spread over the skin following the affected nerves

58
Q

Huntington chorea

A

bizarre involuntary body movements and progressive dementia

59
Q

Huntington disease HD

A

hereditary disease of CNS; causes the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain - movement, thinking, and psychiatric disorders

60
Q

hydrocephalus

A

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain as a result of developmental anomalies, infection, injury, or tumor

61
Q

hyperesthesia

A

increased sensitivity to stimulation such as touch or pain

62
Q

manic depression, bipolar disorder BD

A

affective disorder characterized by mood swings of mania and depression

63
Q

meningioma

A

benign tumor of the covering of the brain (meninges)

64
Q

migraine headache

A

paroxysmal attacks of mostly unilateral headache often w/ disordered vision, nausea/vomiting, lasting hours or days, and caused by artery dilation

65
Q

multiple sclerosis MS

A

CNS disease of demyelination (deterioration of myelin sheath) of nerve fibres w/ episodes of neurological dysfunction/exacerbation followed by recovery

66
Q

neurosis

A

psychological condition in which anxiety is prominent

67
Q

paresthesia

A

abnormal sense of numbness and tingling without objective cause

68
Q

partial seizure

A

seizure involving only limited areas of the brain w/ localized symptoms

69
Q

poliomyelitis

A

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus; often results in muscle deformity and paralysis

70
Q

polyneuritis

A

inflammation involving 2(+) nerves, often due to nutritional deficiency such as thiamine B1

71
Q

RSD reflex sympathetic dystrophy

A

abnormal function of the SNS in response to pain perception; usually due to extremity injury; persistent burning pain, edema, joint tenderness, changes in temp and color

72
Q

schizoaffective disorder

A

a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania, or just depression

73
Q

schizophrenia

A

disease of the brain chemistry causing distorted cognitive and emotional perception of one’s environment characterized by a broad range of positive and negative symptoms

74
Q

spina bifida

A

congenital defect (at birth) in the spinal column; absence of vertebral arches -> pouching of spinal membranes or tissue, bulbous mass on the back

75
Q

syncope

A

fainting

76
Q

tonic-clonic

A

sudden muscle stiffening and contraction along with twitching or jerking; aka grand mal seizure, affects the whole body

77
Q

evoked potentials

A

record of minute electrical potential (waves) that are extracted from ongoing EEG activity to diagnose auditory, visual, and sensory pathway disorders; also used to monitor the neurological function of patients during surgery

78
Q

DTRs

A

Deep tendon reflexes; tonic contraction of muscles that occur in response to muscle and tendon stretch

79
Q

gyrus (pl. gyri)

A

ring or circle; convolutions (mounds) of the cerebral hemispheres

80
Q

hypothalamus

A

control center for the autonomic nervous system located below the thalamus (diencephalon)

81
Q

occipital lobe

A

portion posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes, responsible for vision

82
Q

parietal lobe

A

portion posterior to the frontal lobe, responsible for sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch

83
Q

spondylosyndesis

A

spinal fusion

84
Q

temporal lobe

A

portion that lies below the frontal lobe, responsible for hearing, taste, and smell

85
Q

thalamus (diencephalon)

A

two gray matter nuclei deep within the brain, responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex

86
Q

cerebral cortex

A

Gray matter; brain’s outermost layer of nerve cell tissue. Has wrinkled appearance from sulcis and gyri. Divided into 4 lobes

87
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

Part of the PNS; nerves connecting brain to internal organs mainly utilizing the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata; unconscious processes such as breathing and digestion. (12 cranial nerves)

88
Q

glial cells

A

support cells around the CND providing structural and metabolic support. Clean up debris and for myelin

89
Q

frontotemporal dementia

A

Umbrella term for damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain affecting personality, behaviour, and language

90
Q

trigeminal neuralgia

A

chronic pain disorder that involves sudden severe facial pain. Affects trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve) which provides feeling and nerve signalling to many parts of the head and face

91
Q

subgaleal

A

refers to location of condition; on the head vetween the skin of the scalp and the skull

92
Q

somnolence

A

A state of drowsiness or strong desire to fall asleep

93
Q

Tardive Dyskinesia

A

uncommon side effect of medicines; movement disorder causing inability to move facial muscles. Develop tics like tongue thrusting and rapid blinking; often due to antipsychotics.

94
Q

Meniere disease

A

disorder caused by build up of fluid in inner ear chambers; causing vertigo, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing, headache, balance

95
Q

orthostasis

A

normal physiological response of the sympathetic branch of ANS to counteract the fall in blood pressure when laying down to upright

96
Q

frontoparietal network

A

involved in executive function and goal-oriented, cognitively demanding tasks. Working memory, attention, task-switching, response supression, grasping, reaching, and eye movement control.

97
Q

Zellweger spectrum disorder / syndrome

A

a genetic disorder disturbing cellular function and causing serious problems after birth - damages white matter in the brain and impairs adrenal glands. Can include brain, liver, and kidney issues. Involves distinct facial features; flat face, broad nose, high forehead, wide eyes-hypertelorism. No cure or treatment.

98
Q

Menkes disease

A

mutations in ATP7A gene that regulates metabolism of copper in the body. Primarily affects male infants. Copper accumulates in low levels in the liver and brain, but higher in the kidney and intestines. No cure. Causes seizures.

99
Q

PDH deficiency / Pyruvate dehydrogenase

A

rare neurometabolic disorder with a wide range of affects; often fatal neonatal acidosis to later onset neurological disorders.

100
Q

FG syndrome

A

genetic disorder almost exclusively occurring in males. Affects intelligence and behaviour; friendly and hyperactive with short attention spans with weak verbal communication and language. Hypotonia, broad thumbs and toes.

101
Q

ACC agenesis of the corpus callosum

A

brain disorder; tissue that connects left and right sides of the brain is partially or completely missing. Caused by disruption of brain cell migration during fetal development. May cause intellectual disability, seizures, or mild symptoms.

102
Q

brachial plexus

A

network of nerves in the shoulder that carries movement and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands and back. Injuries stem from neck trauma- can cause pain, weakness, numbness.

103
Q

neurocutaneous syndromes

A

disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. Lifelong conditions that can cause tumors in these areas. Can also cause hearing loss, seizures, developmental problems. Caused by gene mutations.

104
Q

myoclonic epilepsy

A

unusual electrical activity in the bain causing the muscles in the body to contract- causes quick jerking movements and happens in everyday life.

105
Q

anaplastic astrocytoma

A

rare malignant brain tumor. Astrocytomas develop from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes, which help form tissue surrounding and protecting other nerve cells within the brain and spinal cord.

106
Q

Mortons neuroma

A

thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. Can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot - stinging, burning, or numbness in affected toes. Unknown cause; possibly compartment disorder.

107
Q

Raynauds phenomenom

A

problem caused by decreased blood flow to fingers; can also affect ears, toes, nipples, knees, nose. Due to spasm of blood vessels in those areas. Unknown trigger as disruption to nervous system controlling vessels. More prominent in women.

108
Q

essential tremor

A

involuntary and rhythmic shaking in any part of the body, but most often hands. Begins gradually and worsens.

109
Q

QIDS score

A

Quick inventory of depressive symptomatology; self-rated assessment tool to evaluate depression in the past week.

110
Q

obtunded

A

diminished response to stimuli, often due to reduced state of consciousness.

111
Q

galea / epicranial aponeurosis

A

immobile layer of dense fibrous tissue that runs b/t the frontal and occiptal bellies of the occipitofrontal muscles.