Neurology Flashcards
How do you differentiate T1 and T2 MRIs?
T1 - 1 media is bright (fat)
T2 - 2 media are bright (fat and water)
What is the role of the hippocampus?
Consolidation of information to long-term memory
Spatial memory that enables navigation
What are the features of progressive supranuclear palsy?
Postural instability
Frontal lobe abnormalities
Vertical gaze palsy, especially of downward gaze
What are the features of Lewy body dementia?
Attention and executive function deficits
Hallucinations
Parkinsonism
Sensitivity to antipsychotics
What are the features of corticobasal syndrome?
Dementia
Alien limb phenomenon
Asymmetric motor abnormalities, often initially affecting only one limb
What is the most common cause of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage?
Hypertension
(hypertension is a more significant risk factor for stroke than it is cardiac events)
What is the most common cause of spontaneous cerebral haemorrhage in the elderly?
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (amyloid deposits form in blood vessels of the CNS)
What is the most common cause of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in children?
Ruptured arteriovenous malformations
What causes amaurosis fugax?
TIA of the internal carotid artery
What is Wallenberg syndrome?
Lateral medullary syndrome
Occlusion of the PICA or branches of the vertebral artery
Symptoms include ipsilateral Horner syndrome, palate weakness, hemiataxia, and contralateral sensory disturbances.
What is a cryptogenic stroke?
Brain infarction not attributable to a source of definite cardioembolism, large artery atherosclerosis or small artery disease despite thorough vascular, cardiac and serologic evaluation
What is Todd’s paralysis?
Postictal weakness or paralysis
What is the difference between anterograde and retrograde amnesia?
Anterograde - difficulty forming new memories (hippocampus)
Retrograde - difficulty retrieving old memories (hippocampus, temporal lobe and surrounding structures)
Encephalitis involving the temporal lobe is strongly associated with which pathogen?
Herpes simplex meningitis
Also other herpes viruses
Name two ergot-derived dopamine agonists
- Cabergoline
- Pergolide
- Bromocriptine
* Associated with pulmonary and valvular fibrosis*
Name two non-ergot derived dopamine agonists
- Pramipexole
- Rotigotine
- Ropinirole
- Apomorphine
Name two MOA-B inhibitors
- Selegiline
- Rasagiline
Name and catechol-O-methytransferase inhibitor
Entacapone
What is the mechanism of catechol-O-methytransferase inhibitors? (entacapone)
Inhibit peripheral breakdown of levodopa
Helps with motor fluctuations associated with levodopa use
What is the mechanism of MAO-B inhibitors?
Reduce the breakdown of dopamine
What is the most common human prion disease?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Where is pain from fibromyalgia predominantly experienced?
“Tender points”, usually where muscles and tendons attach to bone
No notable swelling, deformity or erythema
Laboratory tests are normal as there is no inflammation
What are the three prodromal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease?
- Constipation
- REM sleep disturbance
- Anosmia
What is the classic triad of Parkinson’s disease?
- Decrementing bradykinesia
- Tremor
- Rigidity
