nervous system Flashcards
function of the nervous system
responsible for body’s ability to both interact with environment and to regulate/control the body and internal organs, muscles, glands
alterations in cognitive systems, arousal and awareness
any state not fully conscious.
Consciousness is arousal (state of awakeness) and awareness (content of thought.
Arousal-mediated by reticular activating system (RAS), regulating aspects of attention and information process, and maintains consciousness
Cognitive cerebral functions require a functioning RAS.
Awareness encompasses all cognitive functions and is mediated by attentional systems, memory systems, language systems, and executive systems. Selective attention (orienting) is ability to select specific information to process from all available competing environmental and internal stimuli
Memory deficits, image processing difficulties, poor vigilance, poor detection of threats, poor short term memory
alterations in cognitive systems, data processing deficits
problems associated with recognizing and processing sensory information
Agnosia- defect of pattern recognition, failure to recognize form and nature of objects. Can be tactile, visual, auditory, generally only one sense is affected. Sometimes objects cant be named by touching it, but able to name it by looking at it
Aphasias - impairment of comprehension or production of language, impaired written or verbal communication. Also called dysphasia. Can be expressive, receptive, mixed (repeats words spoken to them), mute,
Acute confusional state - transient disorders of awareness, either sudden or gradual onset, delirium
alterations in cognitive systems, seizures
manifestation of disease, not a specific disease entity. Sudden, transient disruption in brain electrical function, caused by abnormal excessive discharges of cortical neurons.
Any disorder altering neuronal environment can cause seizures. Metabolic congenital, genetic predisposition, perinatal, postnatall, myoclonic syndromes, brain tumor, vascular disease, drug/ETOH abuse, hypoglycemia, fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, fever, water intoxication, constipation, antipsychotics, respiratory alkalosis - hyperventilation, blinking lights, poorly adjusted television screen, loud noises, certain music, odors, being startled, increased risk for women before or during menses
alterations in cerebral dynamics, ICP
ICP - normal is 5-15 mmHg. Increased ICP happens with increased intercranial content. Blood, edema, tumors, excess CSF. Must reduce volume of other cranial contents. Stages 1-4, with progressing levels of LOC loss.
1 - vasoconstriction and external compression of venous system occur to compensate, so ICP may not change much as body compensates.
2 - ICP continues to increased, exceeding ability to compensate. Compromises neuronal oxygenation, arterial vasoconstriction occurs to elevate systemic BP to overcome ICP. Can include confusion, restlessness, drowsiness, slight pupillary and breathing changes
3 - ICP approaches arterial pressure, brain tissues experience hypoxia and hypercapnia, condition rapidly deteriorates. Includes decreased arousal, central neurogenic hyperventilation, widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, small and sluggish pupils
4 - brain tissue shifts (herniates) from greater pressure to compartment of lesser pressure. Blood supply is compromised, causing further ischemia and hypoxia. Small hemorrhages may develop, hydrocephalus may develop,
alteration in cognitive systems, motor function, muscle tone
movements are complex patterns of activity controlled by cerebral cortex, pyramidal system, extrapyramidal system, and muscle motor units. Dysfunction in any area can cause motor dysfunction. Normal muscle tone involves slight resistance to passive movement. resistance is smooth, constant, even.
Hypo or hypertonia
Flaccidity
Spasticity
Paratonia-resistance to passive movement
Dystonia-involuntary twisting or abnormal posture or repetitive movements
Rigidity
Plastic or lead pipe-increased muscular tone independent the degree of force in passive movement
Myotonia-impaired ability to relax after contraction
alterations in motor function, muscle movement
Dopamine has role in several movement disorders, too much or too little
Hyperkinesia, includes tremors
disorders of the nervous system
Central-TBi, spinal cord injury, degenerative disorders of the spine, CVD, primary headaches, infection and inflammation of the meninges, demyelinating disorders
PNS - radiculopathies-alterations in spinal nerve root functions as they emerge from or enter the vertebral canal neuropathies-alterations in the nerves themselves, may be injured axons
Neuromuscular junction disorders
normal conduction thru the junction fails to function EX botulism with paralysis, myasthenia gravis
tumors of CNS
malignant or not. Metastatic from systemic cancer are 10 times more common than primary brain tumors. Primary spinal cord tumors are also rare, as metastatic tumors from other sites perforate to spine from other tumors or structurs
Dopamine
precursor of both epinephrine or norepinephrine. Epinephrine induces general vasodilation because of the predominance of beta-adrenergic receptors in the muscle vasculature
Disorders of the nervous system and neuromuscular junction adults
· TBI – injury to brain from external force, most common are falls, then unintentional blunt trauma and MVA, males have highest incidence in every age group. Classified as primary or secondary. Primary is direct impact or injury. Secondary is indirect consequence of primary injury and includes systemic responses
· Spinal cord injury
· Degenerative disorders of the spine
· Cerebrovascular disorders
· Primary headache syndromes-can be associated with tumors, meningitis, CVD. Migraine is headache lasting 4-72 hours, head pain + n/v, photophobia and phonophobia. More common in women, 25-55 age.
· Infection and inflammation of the CNS-meningitis, inflammation of brain/spinal cord,
· Demyelinating disorders
peripheral nervous system disorders
Radiculopathies-alterations in spinal nerve root functions as they emerge from or enter the vertebral canal
· Neuropathies – alterations in the nerves themselves, may be injured axons
neuromuscular junction disorders (motor end plate
Normal conduction thru the junction fails to function. Ex – botulism with paralysis, myasthenia gravis (chronic autoimmune disease)
tumors of the CNS
Malignant or non-malignant. Metastatic from systemic cancer are 10 times more common than primary brain tumors.
· Primary spinal cord tumors are rare, metastatic tumors perforate to spine from other tumors or structures
dopamine is precursor of….
both epinephrine and norepinephrine. Epinephrine induces general vasodilation because of the predominance of beta-adrenergic receptors in the muscle vasculature.
anterior horn
associated with skeletal muscle innervation and movement
dorsal root ganglia
carries sensory information from body to spinal cord
posterior horn
receives sensory information from body
substantia gelatinosa
directly involved in pain transmission, located at tip of posterior horn of spinal cord
disorders and alterations of nervous system in children
can arise any time before birth, through adolescence, and symptoms are often different in children than adults, even with similar disorders. Both genetics and environment shape the development of the nervous system. Neuro exam at birth detects mostly reflex responses that require an intact spinal cord and brainstem.
name nervous system disorders in children
Structural malformations-neural tube defects (most common anomaly and include anencephaly, spina bifida, myelomeningocele, craniosynostosis, lissencephaly, microcephaly), craniosynostosis, malformations of brain development
· Alterations in function-static encephalopathies, acute encephalopathies
· CVD in children-perinatal stroke, childhood stroke
· Epilepsy and seizure disorders
· Childhood tumors-brain-most common solid tumor and cause of cancer death in children, arise from brain tissue and do not metastasize, retinoblastoma-tumor of the retina and extends into vitreous humor,
· Cerebral palsy, disorder of movement, caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain up to 1 year of age
· Metabolic disorders lead to diffuse brain dysfunction-phenylketonuria (PKU) is inability to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine and brain damage occurs before metabolites can be detected in the urine
· Defects in amino acid, lipid, and more rarely carbohydrate metabolism. May not manifest until childhood or adulthood. Early dx and tx is vital to avoid severe neurological problems. Newborn screening is recommended for 35 genetic and metabolic conditions, and helps identify problems before symptoms develop.
· Drug induced encephalopathies-accidental ingestion, therapeutic overdose, intentional overdose, ingestion of environmental toxins
· Meningitis-infection of meninges, viral/bacterial/fungal often preceded by URI, or GI infection
· Encephalitis-inflammation of the brain. Can be present along with meningitis
· HIV-results in developmental delays and impaired brain growth, CDC has classification for findings
anatomy of central nervous system
brain and spinal cord.Brain-integrated circuit of millions of neurons, receives 15-20% of cardiac output.
Spinal cord-transmits long motor and sensory tracts originating in the brain and synapse with cell bodies in gray matter before exiting to the body. Somatic and autonomic reflexes, motor pattern control centers, sensory and motor modulation. Starts at medulla oblongata and ends at conus medullaris
somatic nervous system
voluntary movements, transmits sensory information