Introduction to Neuroscience and Neurology

Question 1

Define CNS

Answer 1

brain and spinal cord

Question 2

Define PNS

Answer 2

nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord

Question 3

Define ganglia

Answer 3

clusters of neuronal cell bodies

Question 4

Define autonomic system

Answer 4

division of the PNS responsible for involuntary actions and regulation of the function of the viscera, subdivided further into sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 5

Define somatic system

Answer 5

division of the PNS that controls the motor and sensory functions of the body wall

Question 6

State the other names that the autonomic system is known as

Answer 6

visceral PNS, vegetative NS, involuntary CNS

Question 7

What is the difference in the regenerative capacity between CNS and PNS?

Answer 7

CNS: limited regenerative capacity
PNS: regenerative capacity after injury

Question 8

What effect does the action of phagocytes have on regeneration of axons in PNS?

Answer 8

phagocytes remove debris that may otherwise inhibit regrowth in PNS = regenerative capacity

Question 9

What may cause neuropathic pain?

Answer 9

aberrant axon sprouting and non-specific target reinnervation in PNS

Question 10

What results in the limited regenerative capacity of axons in CNS?

Answer 10

inhibitory action of glia, loss of intrinsic axon growth capabilities due to glial scars, absence of guidance cues that stimulate axon growth

Question 11

Define afferent

Answer 11

axons that propagate action potentials towards the brain and spinal cord from the PNS

Question 12

Define efferent

Answer 12

axons that propagate action potentials from the brain and spinal cord to the periphery

Question 13

Give an example of an afferent neuron

Answer 13

sensory neurons, both somatic and autonomic

Question 14

Give an example of an efferent neuron

Answer 14

motor neurons, both somatic and autonomic

Question 15

Define interneuron

Answer 15

CNS neurons that synapse with other CNS neurons within the brain or spinal cord

Question 16

What is present in the white matter of the spinal cord?

Answer 16

ascending and descending axon tracts

Question 17

What is present in the grey matter of the spinal cord?

Answer 17

neuronal cell bodies

Question 18

What actions are the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway responsible for?

Answer 18

fine touch, vibration, two-point discrimination

Question 19

What actions are the spinothalamic pathway responsible for?

Answer 19

pain, temperature sensation

Question 20

What exits motor pathway?

Answer 20

Ventral roots

Question 21

What enters sensory pathways?

Answer 21

Dorsal roots

Question 22

Define neurology

Answer 22

diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscle

Question 23

List examples of neurological disorders that are prevalent in the community

Answer 23

migraine, stroke, alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, tremor, multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome

Question 24

List examples of common neurological disorders that are presented at general practice

Answer 24

stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome, epilepsy, tremor, parkinson’s disease, brain tumour, multiple sclerosis

Question 25

List what the Mini Mental State examination tests

Answer 25

orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, language

Question 26

List these modes of onset in order of speed of onset (fastest first)

Answer 26

traumatic, vascular, toxic/metabolic, infectious, inflammatory/autoimmune, genetic-congenital, neoplastic, degenerative

Question 27

List examples of diagnostic techniques of neurological disorders

Answer 27

brain scans, sampling CSF via lumbar puncture, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials, brain pathology