Neuropathophysiology Flashcards
Describe the difference between the CNS & the PNS
The CNS are any neurons that are located in the brain and spinal cord (and do not exit) and the PNS are any neurons that are located in the periphery and outside of the CNS
Describe the organization of the Nervous system
The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord
The PNS is composed of the cranial nerves and spinal nerves it is further broken down into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system can further be broken down into the SNS, PSNS, and enteric systems
The SNS outflow leaves through the
thoracolumbar spinal cord region
PSNS outflow is via the
craniosacral region
Describe the reflex arc.
Sensory neurons in the periphery bring signal into spinal cord
interneurons provide a place for modulation from the brain
efferent neurons cause a response to the sensory neurons
Describe the meaning of cauda equina.
The spinal cord stops growing at ~T12-L1/L2 and this is known as the conus medullaris. The spinal cord axons however continue to grow and this is known as the cauda equina. This is where a spinal would be placed. An epidural could be placed anywhere
Describe the pathways of the autonomic nervous system.
PSNS: pre–> Ach onto nAChr–> post–> Ach onto muscarinic
SNS: pre–>Ach onto nAcher–> post–> norepi onto adrenergic
Adrenal medulla: pre–> Ach onto nAchr–>epi and norepi released into blood to act on adrenergic receptors
The composition of a nerve is important in understanding that
a lot of information can go in one nerve (receive sensory information and send out motor information)
Cranial nerves can innervate skeletal muscle and autonomic nervous system
The role of interneurons is to
provide an opportunity for modulation by the brain
Interneurons lie entirely within the CNS
Describe the generation of an action potential
The cell is at resting membrane potential
Action potential is generated and VGNa+ channels open and sodium comes into the cell
The second door of the VGNa+ channels close (putting them in an inactivated state) and the VGK+ channels open and K+ leaves the cell
As the cell begins to repolarize the VGNa+ channels move into the ready state
Describe the role of myelin.
Myelin allows for saltatory conduction and allows for quicker propagation of an action potential
Neuronal health and survival is dependent upon
blood delivering O2 and fuel and waste removal
Describe autoregulation in the brain.
Autoregulation in the brain is composed of the myogenic response (response to pressure) and the metabolic response (O2 lack theory)
Cerebral blood flow can be maintained over a wide range of MAP due to autoregulation in the brain
Osmotic pressure is
the pressure that opposes movement of water across the membrane
List the cellular processes activated by ischemia:
- Cellular acidosis
- Cellular swelling (cytotoxic edema)
- Neuroexcitotoxicity
- Enzymatic activation
- Nitric oxide production
- Inflammation
- Apoptosis
- Necrosis
Describe cellular acidosis.
Anaerobic metabolism leads to cell swelling because of lactic acid accumulation, increased intracellular H+, Na+/H+ exchanger protein moves H+ out of the cell in exchange for Na+ into the cell
Cell swells due to increased Na+
RMP becomes less negative, increasing AP probability
Describe cellular swelling (cytotoxic edema).
Reduced function of Na+/K+ ATP pump leads to swelling due to increased concentration of Na+ inside the cell
Describe neurotoxicity.
Brain glutamate levels rise because elevated intracellular Na+ brings neurons closer to threshold causing release of glutamate
Describe enzymatic activation.
Results from elevated brain glutamate levels because excessive glutamate causes Na+/Ca2+ influx into cell
causes neuron membrane damage and mitochondrial injury resulting in cell death
Describe the composition of the cranial vault.
Fixed space brain: 80% blood: 12% CSF: 8% Little reserve and no stretch
Cerebral perfusion pressure is equal to
MAP-ICP
Describe CSF in the cranial vault.
CSF is made in the choroid plexus. It circulates around the brain and drains via the arachnoid villi. If the arachnoid villi become blocked and CSF is unable to drain, there could be an increase in ICP which compromises CBF
Characteristics of cerebral blood flow
Brain receives 15% of cardiac output
little reserve of nutrients and O2; constant supply of blood is required
CBF remains constant due to autoregulation and other feedback mechanisms (not limitless though)
Cerebral blood flow averages
50 mL/100 g/min.
grey matter averages more than white matter