Disorders of impaired neutral conduction and transmission Flashcards
Myelination
- a sheath of proteins and fats surrounding an axon
- provides insulation, prevents current flow across the axonal membrane
- increases speed of action potentials and distance a current can spread
- thicker myelin leads to faster condution and greater chances for action potential propagation
Demyelination
what does it do to the function of a neuron
- lower membrane resistance
- allows leakage of electrical current across membrane
- decreases speed or blocks propagation of action potentials
Disorders of impaired conduction in the NS
- CNS: multiple sclerosis
- PNS: peripheral neuropathy; Guillain-barre
Describe what happens with MS
- CNS demyelination
- immune system produces antibodies that attack oligodendrocytes
- patches of demyelination called Plaques in CNS white matter
- damage to myelin sheaths in brain and SC which slows/blocks transmission of signals
- also lose grey matter volume
Where can the plaques in MS occur
- subcortical
- brainstem
- spinal cord
- CNS white matter
Incidence of MS
- Onset 20-40 years
- women are 3x more affected than men
List some risk factors for MS
- whites of European ancestry,
- living further from equator (prior to puberty),
- smoking,
- low levels of Vitamin D,
- obesity during adolescence.
- OS&S: 2% risk for child, 5% for sibling or fraternal twin, 25% identical twin.
- Viruses: Epstein-Barr, measles, canine distemper, herpes virus-6, chlamydia pneumonia.
MS
Symptoms
- fatigue
- weakness
- impaired cognition
- visual probelms
- decreased sensation
- slurred speech
- pain
- bowel/bladder changes
- cognitive/affective disorders
- exacerbations/remssions
MS
Diagnosis
- difficult as signs may resolve when edema decreases
- Lumbar puncture and evoked potentials (EP) also used.
improved with use of imaging (plaques).
looking for oligodendorcytes that are broken up
MS
PT role
- exercise at lower intentsity
- Avoid overexertion and high temperatures.
- Small ↑’s (½ºF) in body temp may alter activity of membrane proteins in axons, further disabling AP conduction.
- Sweating, dizziness, muscle weakness, slowed reaction times, reduced energy, difficulties with attention/ concentration.
- Uthoff’s sign: better in 30 minutes.
- “Pseudo exacerbation”: last < 24 hours.
- exacerbations last >24 hours \, separated y ≥30 days
MS
Types
- Relapsing remitting
- secondary progressive
- primary progressive
- progressive relapsing
Relapsing/remitting MS
- During relapses, new signs/sxs + old signs/symptoms recur or worsen.
- Relapses f/b remission (full or partial recovery from deficits acquired during relapse.
- without treamtent most transition to secondary progressive MS
Secondary progressive MS
- continuous neurological decline
- fewer or no relapses
Primary progressive MS
- steady functional decline from time of onset
- predominantly SC s&s
progressive relapsing MS
- steady functional decline with superimposed relapses + partial remission s
- Fxn never fully recover during remission
- PRMS is now considered to be a form of PPMS
Peripheral Polyneuropathy
- any pathologic change in peripheral nerves
- destruction of myelin surrounding largest most myelinated sensory and motor fibers
- results in disrupted proprioception and weakness due to desctruction of myelin in sensory and motor neurons
Causes of periperhal polyneuropathy
- autoimmune disease
- metabolic abnormalities
- toxic chemcials
- hereditary disorders
What damage is done with a diabetic polyneuropathy, what symptoms might be felt and how can one limit the pogression
- both axons and myelin are damaged
- decreased sensation along with pain, paresthesias and dysesthesias
- glycemic control (A1C<7) can limit progression in type 1 but not type 2
PT role with diabetic polyneuropathy
- balance and strength training to reduce fall risk
- gait and balance improve with exercise
- orthoses may be used to stabilize weight-bearing joint
- prevent sprains and strains
- prevent dropping of forefoot during gait
- prevent deformities from paresis, paralysis and lack of sensation
Guillain-Barre Sydrome
- acute inflammation demyelinated polyneuropathy
- AIDP is most common form
What happens with
Guillian Barre Syndrome
- immune system attacks schwann cells
- affects sensory and motor function
- if severe, peripheral autonomic function
- often occurs 1-2 weeks after a mild infection (resp. or GI)
DX of Guillian Barre
- EMG
- lumbar puncutre
- MRI
Guillain-Barre
Signs and symptoms
- Primary sign is ascending skeletal Muscle paralysis
- difficulty with chewing, swallowing, speaking, facial expressions if motor CN’s affected
- weakness>sensory loss; may have deep aching pain or hypersensitivity to touch
- 3-10% die of cardiac or respiratory failure
- in some cases demyelination is extreme and axons within myelin sheath degenerate resulting in residual complications
Guillain-barre Syndrome
Treatment: medical
- plasmapheresis: removes antibodies
- intravenous immunogoblin therapy: neutralizes antibodies
- 25% of patients require ventilatory