Nervous System Diseases

Question 1

Describe Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Answer 1

• Late age of onset and has a 1 year survival rate of less than 10%
• Neurodegenerative disorder involving the mutation of prions resulting in neuronal cell death in grey matter
  - Classified as a spongiform encephalopathy disease

Question 2

Describe the signs and symptoms of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease

Answer 2

• Neurological - balance and coordination problems, slurred speech, sensation numbness, dizziness, diplopia
• Psychological - depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, insomnia

Question 3

Describe arteriovenous malformations

Answer 3

• Commonly presents between 20-40 age in males
• Arteries connect directly to veins, creating a high pressure shunt into the veins causing them to stretch and rupture
  
  • Surrounding area becomes derived of oxygen, nutrient and CO2 removal due to lack of capillaries, leading to neurological deficits in the brain

Question 4

Describe the symptoms of arteriovenous malformations

Answer 4

Seizures, headaches, stroke-like symptoms, bleeding

Question 5

Describe meningitis

Answer 5

• Neisseria meningitidis colonizes the nasopharynx and enters the blood stream causing bacteraemia
• Bacteria enters the CSF through the blood brain barrier and reproduces within the meninges
• Symptoms arise due to immune response, bacterial toxins and cerebral oedema (raised ICP)

Question 6

Describe the signs and symptoms of meningitis

Answer 6

Fever, neck stiffness, headache, confusion, photophobia, non-blanching rash

Question 7

Describe multiple sclerosis

Answer 7

• Autoimmune inflammatory disease that targets the myelin that surrounds axons in the CNS
• Leads to disrupted conduction of rapid action potentials
• MS plaques form due to the destruction of myelin and oligodendrocytes

Question 8

Describe the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Answer 8

Fatigue, cognitive impairment, dizziness, diplopia, tingling/numbness, bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction