Week 10 - Neurological Disorders and Brain Injury

Question 1

Identify the diagnostic tool for stroke.

Answer 1

• CT Scan
• MRI Scan

Question 2

Define Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

Answer 2

CVA or also known as Stroke occurs when a blood vessel (artery) supplying the brain with oxygen/nutrients is altered which results in:
- Insufficient blood flow for more than approx. 5 mins → death of the neurons
- Neurons withinthe brain do not regenerate → permanent damage
- Death of neurons is called a cerebral infarct (Also referred to as a stroke)

Question 3

What is the Pathophysiology of Ischaemic Stroke
(Cerebral Vascular Accident, CVA)

Answer 3

• Blockage of cerebral blood vessel due to:
  1. Thrombus (local clot from atherosclerosis)
  2. Embolus (clot from elsewhere, e.g. atrial fibrillation)
• Reduced blood and oxygen supply to brain tissue
• Neuronal death (necrosis) → release of lysosomes → autodigestion
• Blood–brain barrier becomes permeable → proteins leak → draws water → cerebral oedema

Question 4

What is the Pathophysiology of Haemorrhagic Stroke
(Cerebral Vascular Accident, CVA)

Answer 4

• Rupture of a cerebral blood vessel → bleeding into brain tissue or subarachnoid space
• Haematoma forms → compresses brain tissue and increases intracranial pressure (ICP)
• Intracerebral haemorrhage: bleeding directly into brain tissue (e.g. from aneurysm, trauma, anticoagulants)
• Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH): blood enters subarachnoid space (often due to aneurysm) → can spread into ventricles and cause rapid, fatal ICP rise