Chronic Disorders of Neurologic Function

Question 1

possible causes of seizures

Answer 1

electrolyte disturbances
lesions or tumors
infection
hypoxia
acidosis
acute alcohol withdrawal
idiopathic = cause unknown

Question 2

petit mal seizure

Answer 2

nonmotor
absence seizure

Question 3

grand mal seizure

Answer 3

motor
“tonic-clonic”

Question 4

simple partial seizure

Answer 4

no impairment of consciousness
may experience strange tastes, smells, sensations

Question 5

complex partial seizure

Answer 5

impaired awareness

Question 6

epileptic VS non-epileptic seizure

Answer 6

in an epileptic seizure, the primary problem is in the brain
- trauma
- stroke
- infection
- tumor
- congenital

in a non-epileptic seizure the cause is more systemic
- hypoglycemia
- alcohol withdrawal
- electrolyte imbalance

Question 7

cognitive changes in dementia

Answer 7

memory
personalty changes
behavior
judgement
anxiety and depression
psychosis
inability to complete ADLs

Question 8

what percent of dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s?

Answer 8

50 - 60%

Question 9

what is the structural change present in Alzheimer’s?

Answer 9

abnormally cut and folded proteins in the brain

Question 10

what percent of dementia cases are vascular?

Answer 10

15 - 20%

Question 11

what causes vascular dementia?

Answer 11

multiple infarctions in the brain

Question 12

how are plaques formed in the brain?

Answer 12

• normal protein found in cell membrane is amyloid precursor protein
• beta-amyloid is produced by incorrectly cut APP
• beta amyloid clumps into plaques

Question 13

bradykinesia

Answer 13

slow movement present in Parkinson’s

Question 14

intention tremor

Answer 14

no tremor at rest, tremor appears when performing movement

Question 15

acquired Parkinson’s

Answer 15

rapid onset
caused by infection, drug toxicity, or trauma

Question 16

idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Answer 16

gradual onset
genetic

Question 17

what is the structural change in the brain with Parkinson’s?

Answer 17

degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra

Question 18

describe basic neurotransmitter changes in Parkinson’s

Answer 18

high Acetylcholine and low Dopamine

Question 19

when do Parkinson’s symptoms appear

Answer 19

after 75-80% of dopamine neurons in SN have died

Question 20

possible etiology of cerebral palsy

Answer 20

no specific etiology identified in most cases

possible causes:
damage during fetal development or birth
hypoxia or head trauma at birth
prenatal infection

Question 21

spastic cerebral palsy

Answer 21

most common
rigidity/hyperreflexia
hemiplegia/paraplegia/quadriplegia

Question 22

hydrocephalus

Answer 22

elevated ICP due to obstructed flow of CSF
elevated ventricles push on brain, cause ischemia and necrosis

Question 23

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Answer 23

Second Most Common
Slow, Jerky, Uncoordinated Purposeful Movements

Question 24

Ataxic cerebral palsy

Answer 24

rare
gait disturbance

Question 25

neurological complications of cerebral palsy

Answer 25

Seizures Intellectual Impairment Visual Problems Hearing Problems

Question 26

normal-pressure hydrocephalus

Answer 26

onset late in life gait instability urinary incontinence dementia

Question 27

what other condition is hydrocephalus often associated with?

Answer 27

Neural Tube Defects

Question 28

ataxia

Answer 28

disturbances in gait and balance

Question 29

what is the hallmark of cerebellar disorders?

Answer 29

ataxia - gait and balance disturbances vertigo uncoordinated movement

Question 30

risk factors for multiple sclerosis

Answer 30

female - 2/3 predominance associated with northern latitude possibly environmental triggers

Question 31

multiple sclerosis

Answer 31

Autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system

Question 32

clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis

Answer 32

optic and oculo-motor nerves commonly affected diplopia and lack of coordination

Question 33

spina bifida

Answer 33

failure of the neural tube to close

Question 34

spina bifida occulta

Answer 34

no visible anomaly

Question 35

spina bifida cystica

Answer 35

protrusion of sac-like structure from the spine

Question 36

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Answer 36

Degeneration of Motor Neurons in the Lateral Columns (cortico-spinal tract) of the Spinal Cord

Question 37

clinical manifestations of ALS

Answer 37

Weakness Atrophy Cramps Twitching Hyper-Reflexia in a weak, atrophic extremity Muscles of swallowing/breathing affected

Question 38

factors associated with spinal cord injury

Answer 38

male gender more common in summer months

Question 39

spinal shock

Answer 39

Transient Loss of Function Below the Level of Injury Flaccid Paralysis Loss of Reflexes Loss of Pain Sensation Loss of Bowel/Bladder Control

Question 40

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Answer 40

Acute Demyelination of the Peripheral Nervous System NOT chronic like ALS

Question 41

what triggers Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Answer 41

infectious agents - C. jejuni

Question 42

paralysis pattern of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Answer 42

ascending - starts at feet non-traumatic paralysis can be more problematic if it reaches the diaphragm

Question 43

bell palsy

Answer 43

injury or compression of facial nerve infection with pathogen that affects nerves