Neuromuscular Diseases Flashcards
Mechanism of epilepsy
Spread of electrical activity between cortical neurones is restricted
What is epilepsy due to
Complex inhibition of inhibitory transmitters released by neurones in one area; intrinsic membrane properties of neurones
Synchronous discharge of neurones takes place in small groups
Responsible for normal EEG rhythms
What happens during a seizure
Large group of neurones activated repetitively and synchronously
Inhibitory mechanisms fail
May affect: localised areas of cortex or spread to both hemispheres
3 classifications of epilepsy
Generalised (abnormal widespread electrical activity)
Simple partial (w/o loss of awareness)
Complex partial - loss of awareness
Generalised seizure types
Tonic-clonic
Tonic-rigid, fall, bite tongue
Clonic-frothing,convulsions
Focal partial seizure
Origin - motor cortex
Begin with jerking limb
Sometimes paralysis
Temporal lobe seizure
Simple or complex, feelings of unreality, deja vu
Factors precipitating epilepsy
Genetics
Trauma and surgery
Pyre is
Drugs, alcohol and withdrawl
Meningitis
Metabolic abnormalities
Reflex - photosensitivity
How to diagnose epilepsy
EEG
MRI/CT scan
Treatment of epilepsy
During: ensure patient kept away from harm, airway maintained, check for hypoglycaemia
Long term: anticonvulsant drugs, neurosurgery
What components are affected during disease of motor unit
Cell body
Axon
NMJ
Muscle fibres
Effects of myopathies disease
Muscles weak; myotonia, myalgia, myoglobiurea
Symptoms of motor neurone disease
Start with arm or leg weakness wasting of small muscles of hand and foot
Spread over whole limb/both limbs
Sensory nerves unaffected
Eventually spreads to respiratory muscles
What occurs in MND
Proliferation of Astrocytes and scarring in lateral spinal cord
What is fasciculation
Spontaneous firing of abnormally large motor units, formed by branching fibres of surviving fibres innervating neighbouring fibres with no innervation
