Neurological disorders and their main causes

Question 1

What happens when there is damage to the descending tract?

Answer 1

damage to motor neurones, results in a loss of effector function

Question 2

What happens when there is damage to the ascending tract?

Answer 2

damages sensory neurones, loss of sensation

Question 3

Why is damage to the CNS permanent?

Answer 3

There is no regeneration of axons. Neurones once lost cannot be replaced –> highly differentiated so cannot return to cell cycle

Question 4

What is a cerebrovascular infarct?

Answer 4

Area of brain tissue completely derived of oxygen = cell death

Question 5

What happens when there is damage to the left hemisphere of the brain?

Answer 5

Results in a loss of sensation and movement on right side of body = CONTRALATERAL relationship

Question 6

What is neoplasia?

Answer 6

presence of tumours in nervous tissue

Question 7

What is the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?

Answer 7

Viral doesn’t stimulate a full immune response, has a low mortality rate. Bacterial rapidly develops with high mortality

Question 8

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Answer 8

Nerves in the body’s extremities are damaged

Question 9

What is a neurological syndrome?

Answer 9

A neurological disorder with a collection of symptoms with a distinct cause

Question 10

What do epileptic spikes indicate on an EEG?

Answer 10

group of neurones firing simultaneously leading to an increased amplitude

Question 11

Why is nervous tissue more vulnerable than other tissues?

Answer 11

• lack of replacement of lost tissue
• no axonal regeneration in CNS
• high energy requirement + low energy store in brain
• limited space in cranial cavity