pt15 Flashcards
(50 cards)
What key roles does the thalamus serve?
Relays sensory information to cortex, transmits cerebellar/basal nuclei signals to motor cortex, and maintains consciousness
What constitutes the limbic system, and what are its functions?
Cortical (limbic lobe) and subcortical (amygdala, hippocampus, some thalamic/hypothalamic nuclei) areas for emotion, behaviour, memory, olfaction, motivation
What are the roles of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine?
Excitatory neurotransmitters/hormones in the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” stress response
What functions does dopamine perform?
Excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory roles in reward, addiction, motivation, and motor control
What are serotonin’s primary roles?
Inhibitory neurotransmitter regulating mood, emotion, appetite, digestion; precursor to melatonin for sleep
What is GABA’s function in the CNS?
Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; regulates anxiety, vision, motor control; low levels cause irritability and anxiety
What role does glutamate play?
Most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter; critical for cognitive functions, memory, and learning
What percentage of the population is affected by migraines globally, and how do they rank in years lived with disability?
About 15.2% globally; first cause of health loss in women and second overall in years lived with disability
What are the core symptoms of a migraine attack?
Moderate to severe headache plus reversible symptoms such as photophobia, phonophobia, cutaneous allodynia, nausea, vertigo, and dizziness
What is a migraine aura and in what proportion of cases does it occur?
Transient neurological symptoms (most commonly visual disturbances) lasting 5–60 min, occurring in ~30% of migraines
How can a single-gene mutation cause familial hemiplegic migraine?
Mutation in CACNA1A (voltage-dependent Ca²⁺-channel subunit) → cortical hyperexcitability → cortical spreading depression triggering aura
What defines polygenic migraine susceptibility?
Interaction of >180 SNPs each conferring low risk, many in genes expressed in vascular and neuronal tissues
What role does the trigeminovascular system play in migraine pathophysiology?
Activation releases vasoactive neuropeptides (e.g., CGRP, PACAP, NO) causing meningeal vasodilation, inflammation, and nociceptive signalling
What are the three classes of acute migraine treatments?
- Triptans: 5-HT₁ agonists → vasoconstriction & nociception modulation
- Ditans: neuronal 5-HT₁F agonists → inhibit trigeminal nociception without vasoconstriction
- Neuromodulation: non-invasive electrical/magnetic brain stimulation
What types of intracranial haematomas can result from traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
- Epidural: between skull & dura
- Subdural: between dura & arachnoid
- Intracerebral: within brain tissue
What are common acute and chronic symptoms of TBI?
- Acute: loss of consciousness, headache, nausea/vomiting, seizures, blurred vision, fatigue
- Chronic: depression, persistent fatigue, sleep disorders (hypersomnia/insomnia)
How is acute TBI managed, and what long-term rehabilitation may be required?
- Acute: airway/oxygen, control bleeding (surgery), anticonvulsants, diuretics, medically induced coma
- Rehab: physical, occupational, speech therapy, neuropsychological support
What mechanisms underlie spinal cord injury, and how is injury completeness classified?
Vertebral fracture/dislocation compresses/crushes cord → disrupts ascending/descending tracts;
* Complete: no function below lesion
* Incomplete: partial preservation of function
What are major complications of spinal cord injury and its core treatments?
- Complications: chronic pain, respiratory infections, bladder/bowel dysfunction, fractures
- Treatment: multidisciplinary rehab (physical/occupational therapy, counselling)
How do CNS tumours impair function, and what symptoms do they cause?
Mass effect → pressure on adjacent tissue;
* Brain: headaches, seizures, nausea/vomiting, cognitive & behavioural changes, focal deficits
* Spinal: pain, sensory/motor disturbances
What are the principal treatment modalities for CNS tumours?
Surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy (depending on tumour type and location)
How is epilepsy defined and classified by seizure onset?
Chronic predisposition to recurrent unprovoked seizures;
* Focal: localized onset
* Generalized: bilateral hemispheric onset
* Unknown: onset unclear
What are the six etiological categories of epilepsy?
Structural, metabolic, immune, infectious, genetic, and unknown causes
What therapeutic options exist for epilepsy?
- Antiseizure meds (e.g., sodium valproate, levetiracetam)
- Surgery for focal epilepsy
- Neurostimulation: vagus nerve or deep brain stimulators
- Ketogenic diet
