Motor Neurone Disease Flashcards
What is Motor Neuron Disease?
Umbrella term for progressive, degenerative conditions in locking selective degeneration of both upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron including cortical, Brain stem and spinal motor neurons.
The motor neurons lose ability to communicate between brain and muscle.
What are the signs and symptoms of motor neuron disease?
Dysphagia, dysarthria, weakness, spasticity, hyper reflexia, clonus, muscle atrophy, fasciculation and dysponea
What are the 5 D’s and 3 N’s?
Diplopia, dizziness, drop attacks, dysarthria, dysphagia, ataxia or gait, nausea, numbness and nystagmus
What is the pathophysiology between MND?
It affects anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, cortico spinal tracts and motor nuclei of the brain stem.
It results in upper and lower motor neurone lesions
What diseases are included in upper motor neurone disorders?
Primary Lateral Sclerosis
Pseduobulbar palsy
What disease are included in lower motor neurone disorders?
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Progressive muscular atrophy
Progressive Bulbar palsy (PBP)
What is the most common UMN and LMN disease?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) signs and symptoms include wasting in the thenar eminences, spasticity and weakness in upper limbs, bulbar signs- dysarthria and dysphagia
What are the early signs of motor neuron disease?
Slurred speech- due to tongue muscle wasting, develops into difficulty swallowing foods, a weak grip due to thenar muscles, proximal and symmetrical upper limb muscle wasting, muscle cramps, weakness doing functional activities, difficulty stopping crying or laughing (limbic system)
How is MND diagnosed?
Differential diagnosis, EMG studies on nerve conduction, muscle biopsy and blood test
What are some complications of motor neurone disease?
Pressure sores, contractures, postural hypotension, aspiration, pneumonia
What medications can be used to treat Motor Neurone Disease?
Anticoagulants - Clopidogrel
Lipid lowering- atorvastatin
Muscle relaxants- Baclofen, Diazepam, tizanidine and Botox
What are Botox (botulinum toxin) used to do in physiotherapy?
They reduce pain and discomfort caused by increased muscle tone. They improved range of movement, functional ability and quality of life
