Unit 5 - Neurological Disorders

Question 1

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome can occur from a deficiency of what vitamin?

Answer 1

Vitamin B1

Question 2

Pernicious Anemia can occur from a deficiency of what vitamin?

Answer 2

Vitamin B12

Question 3

Peripheral neuropathy can occur from a deficiency of what vitamin?

Answer 3

Vitamin B6

***Note: An excess of vitamin B6 can also result in peripheral neuropathy!

Question 4

What can occur due to an iodine deficiency?

Answer 4

Intellectual disability

Question 5

What assessments can be done in relation to nutrition and neurological disorders?

Answer 5

• Changes in rate of chewing over time
• Extent of dysphagia
• Assessments of cognitive function
• Assessments of physical ability to self-feed (prepare food and eat)

Question 6

Non oral nutrition is referred to as ________________.

Answer 6

Enteral nutrition

Question 7

List 3 potential problems of dysphagia.

Answer 7

• Inadequate nutrient intake+ dehydration
• Choking
• Lung infections (aspiration pneumonia)

Question 8

List 4 strategies for dysphagia

Answer 8

• Mash or liquefy solids
• Thicken liquids
• Micronutrient supplementation
• Enteral nutrition

Question 9

T/F: More strokes are thromboembolic than hemorrhagic.

Answer 9

True - 85% of strokes are thromboembolic strokes whereas only 15% of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes.

Question 10

Differentiate between an embolic and thrombotic stroke.

Answer 10

Embolic is plaque blocking a vessel whereas thrombotic is blood clot blocking a vessel

Question 11

What conditions do we try to control as part of stroke prevention?

Answer 11

Obesity, diabetes and hypertension

Question 12

Jim has just come home from the hospital after having a thromboembolic stroke.
T/F: Jim should eat a diet low in cholesterol, fat, and salt to reduce his risk of having another stroke.

Answer 12

False - Jim’s main priority right now is to consume an energy-rich, micronutrient-sufficient diet to aid in his recovery.

Question 13

Define epilepsy.

Answer 13

At least two unprovoked seizures that occur more than 24 hours apart.

Question 14

Which vitamin deficiencies are possibly related to anti-convulsant medications?

Answer 14

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B9 (folate)

Question 15

What interaction is seen between folate (vitamin B9) and anti-convulsants?

Answer 15

Anti-convulsants appear to be correlated with folic acid deficiency, however folic acid also seems to interfere with the absorption of the anti-convulsant medication (bi-directional).

Question 16

John has been using anti-convulsant medications but with no success in managing his epilepsy symptoms. Before he turns to brain surgery, he is wondering if there is anything more conservative that he can do. What nutritional advice might John’s doctor give him as a last resort before surgery?

Answer 16

Ketogenic diet (Very low carbohydrate intake, and composed mainly of fat-rich
and protein-rich foods)

Question 17

Why are medium chain triglycerides taken when starting the ketogenic diet?

Answer 17

Help create a more efficient state of ketosis

Question 18

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are both classified as _______________________ disorders.

Answer 18

Amyloidogenic neurodegenerative

Question 19

What is meant by “amyloid”?

Answer 19

Misfolding and aggregation of polypeptides

Question 20

How does L-dopa work to help manage Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 20

L-dopa works as a dopamine agonist in the brain

Question 21

List 2 interactions L-dopa has with other nutrients in the body.

Answer 21

• Some amino acids (e.g., phenylalanine, tryptophan, isoleucine) compete for L-dopa absorption
• High vitamin B6 sources (supplements) may decrease L-dopa’s availability to the brain

Question 22

Which protein is compromised in Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 22

alpha-synuclein protein

Question 23

Which protein is compromised in Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 23

beta-amyloid polypeptides

Question 24

List the cognitive problems that arise during eating for people with Alzheimer’s and explain how they can be managed.

Answer 24

• Don’t recognize food/drink as such
• Increased distraction/decreased attention during meals
  ⇒ may require verbal guidance
• Increased paranoia, anger, violence
  ⇒ structured routine is recommended for feeding, in the same place every day
  ⇒ Any disruptive or distracting agents in the eating environment should be identified and removed

Question 25

List 3 Nutritional recommendations for Alzheimer’s.

Answer 25

• Nutrient dense foods
• Nutrient supplements (deficiencies are common)
• Frequent snacks