Neurological transmission disorders

Question 1

What is a hypokinetic disorder?

Answer 1

Conditions associated with abnormally decreased bodily movement

Question 2

Describe myasthenia gravis

Answer 2

Chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in skeletal muscles.

It happens when the body’s immune system produces antibodies that block or destroy acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, preventing the muscles from contracting properly.

S&S:
Muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest
Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
Double vision (diplopia)
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Weakness in the arms, legs, or breathing muscles

Question 3

Describe Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)

Answer 3

Rare autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, similar to myasthenia gravis but with key differences.

In LEMS, the immune system attacks voltage-gated calcium channels on nerve endings, which reduces the release of acetylcholine, needed for muscle contraction.

S&S:
Muscle weakness, especially in the legs and hips (trouble climbing stairs, getting up)
Improves temporarily with repeated use (post-exercise facilitation)
Dry mouth, constipation, erectile dysfunction (due to autonomic involvement)
Occasionally, eye or swallowing symptoms, but less common than in myasthenia gravis

Question 4

Describe botulism

Answer 4

Rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

This neurotoxin blocks nerve function, leading to paralysis, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening if respiratory muscles are affected.

S&S:
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Facial weakness, drooping eyelids
Blurred or double vision
Muscle weakness starting in the face and descending
Breathing difficulty (in severe cases)
In infants: poor feeding, weak cry, “floppy” appearance

Question 5

What are hyperactivity disorders?

Answer 5

Conditions associated with excessive movement, impulsivity, and difficulty with attention regulation, often beyond what is considered developmentally appropriate

Question 6

Describe Stiff-Person Syndrome

Answer 6

Rare and chronic neurological autoimmune disorder characterised by progressive muscle stiffness and spasms, particularly in the trunk and limbs.

It is often associated with autoantibodies that disrupt inhibitory signals in the central nervous system, especially those involving GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.

S&S:
Progressive stiffness in axial muscles (lower back, abdomen) and eventually limbs
Painful muscle spasms, triggered by:
Sudden movement
Emotional stress
Unexpected stimuli (noise, touch)
Postural changes, including a rigid, hyperlordotic (arched) spine
Difficulty walking, frequent falls (not due to weakness, but stiffness and spasms)
Sometimes anxiety or phobias, possibly related to GABA dysfunction in the brain