Chapter 6: Brain Damage & Plasticity

Question 1

A type of brain damage caused by an interruption of the blood supply to the brain.

Answer 1

Stroke.

Question 2

Risk factors of stroke.

Answer 2

Age, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and the use of alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and other drugs.

Question 3

Hardening of the arteries.

Answer 3

Arteriosclerosis.

Question 4

A condition caused by bleeding in the brain.

Answer 4

Cerebral hemorrhage.

Question 5

A balloon-like bulge in the wall of an artery.

Answer 5

Aneurysm.

Question 6

Blockages of blood vessels, leading to inadequate blood flow.

Answer 6

Ischemia.

Question 7

An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both.

Answer 7

Traumatic brain injury.

Question 8

Penetration of the skull.

Answer 8

Open head injuries.

Question 9

Closed head injuries (unconscious or coma).

Answer 9

Concussions.

Question 10

The site of a blow.

Answer 10

Coup.

Question 11

The force of the blow pushes the brain against the side of the skull opposite the coup producing a second area of damage.

Answer 11

Countercoup.

Question 12

Bleeding because of a coup.

Answer 12

Subdural hematoma.

Question 13

Outcomes of this include lack of concentration, reduction in processing speed, and deficits in higher-order cognitive functions such as attention and memory.

Answer 13

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

Question 14

A type of brain damage caused by repeated concussions.

Answer 14

Chronic traumatic brain injury (CTBI).

Question 15

Also known as “Boxer’s syndrome.” Symptoms include slurred speech, memory impairment, personality changes, lack of coordination, and a Parkinson like syndrome.

Answer 15

Dementia pugilistica.

Question 16

An independent growth of tissue that lacks purpose.

Answer 16

Tumor.

Question 17

A type of abnormal cell growth that, lacking boundaries, invades the surrounding tissue and is very likely to recur following surgical removal.

Answer 17

Malignant tumor.

Question 18

The migration of cancerous cells from one part of the body to another.

Answer 18

Metastasis.

Question 19

An abnormal cell growth that develops within its own membrane and is unlikely to recur following surgery to remove it.

Answer 19

Benign tumor.

Question 20

A tumor that develops from glial cells.

Answer 20

Glioma.

Question 21

A tumor arising from the tissue of the meninges.

Answer 21

Meningioma.

Question 22

Four (4) classifications of tumors.

Answer 22

1. Grade I tumors
2. Grade II tumors
3. Grade III tumors
4. Grade IV tumors

Question 23

Benign, slow-growing, and respond well to surgery.

Answer 23

Grade I tumors.

Question 24

Malignant, have a higher likelihood of recurrence following surgery, but grow relatively slowly.

Answer 24

Grade II tumors.

Question 25

Malignant and require more aggressive therapies.

Answer 25

Grade III tumors.

Question 26

Rapidly fatal.

Answer 26

Grade IV tumors.

Question 27

Five (5) treatments for tumors.

Answer 27

1. Surgeries 2. Radiation 3. Chemotherapy 4. Thalidomide (to starve tumors) 5. Mixed methods of treatment

Question 28

These are uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that are correlated with changes in consciousness, caused by brain injury, infection, drug withdrawal, and others.

Answer 28

Seizures.

Question 29

A disorder characterized by repeated seizure activity in the brain.

Answer 29

Epilepsy.

Question 30

Seizures when exposed to flashing lights of specific intensities and frequencies.

Answer 30

Photosensitivity epilepsy.

Question 31

A seizure that has a clear area of origin, or focus.

Answer 31

Partial seizure.

Question 32

A premonition of an impending seizure.

Answer 32

Aura.

Question 33

A type of partial seizure that causes movements or sensations appropriate to the location. No change in consciousness.

Answer 33

Simple partial seizure.

Question 34

A type of partial seizure that causes confusion and change of consciousness.

Answer 34

Complex partial seizure.

Question 35

A seizure that affects the brain symmetrically without a clear point of origin.

Answer 35

Generalized seizure.

Question 36

A generalized seizure that results in violent convulsions; also known as a tonic-clonic seizure.

Answer 36

Grand mal seizure.

Question 37

10 seconds of loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, and intense muscular contraction.

Answer 37

Tonic phase.

Question 38

1 minute violent rhythmic contraction resulting in broken bones and physical injuries.

Answer 38

Clonic phase.

Question 39

A mild type of generalized seizure in which the patient experiences a brief period of unconsciousness. Absence seizure for 10 seconds.

Answer 39

Petit mal seizure.

Question 40

Treatment for Epilepsy.

Answer 40

1. Anti epilepsy drugs (AED) 2. Surgeries 3. Ketogenic diet (high fat low carb)

Question 41

A brain infection caused by the pork tapeworm and Taenia solium. Symptoms: Sudden-onset partial seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, inattention, poor balance.

Answer 41

Neurocysticercosis.

Question 42

A brain infection caused by viruses with the following main symptom: brain inflammation. Symptoms vary from mild to very severe, including death.

Answer 42

Encephalitis.

Question 43

A brain infection caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi with the following symptoms: flulike symptoms, neck stiffness, aversion to bright light, and drowsiness.

Answer 43

Meningitis.

Question 44

A brain infection caused by the HIV virus with the following symptoms: depressive symptoms, motor disturbance, and cognitive disturbance.

Answer 44

AIDS dementia complex.

Question 45

A brain infection possibly caused by prions or slow-acting viruses with the following symptoms: paranoia, anxiety, depression, dementia, motor disturbances, and death.

Answer 45

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

Question 46

A human TSE that results in a progressively degenerative condition characterized by movement and cognitive disorder.

Answer 46

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Question 47

A human TSE identified among the Fore of New Guinea, related to their practice of cannibalism.

Answer 47

Kuru.

Question 48

A protein particle that lacks nucleic acid and is believed to be responsible for TSEs.

Answer 48

Prion.