Week 7 Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is cerebellar ataxia?
A movement disorder characterised by a loss of coordination and balance due to damage or dysfunction of the cerebellum
- genetic and non-genetic causes
What is the role of the cerebellum
Influences movement through its connections to the upper motor neurons in the motor cortex, the pre motor cortex and in the brain stem
Role in adjusting posture and coordinating movement
Indirect influence on movement
Non-genetic causes of cerebellar ataxia
- Alcohol - cerebellum is vulnerable to ethanol during development
- stroke
- Infections
- Drugs/toxins
Impairments of cerebellar ataxia
- Ataxic gait
- Dysarthria
- Dysphagia
- Abnormal eye movement
Dysmetria
Movement disorder characterized by the inability to control distance, speed and range of motion necessary to perform smooth movements
Hypermetria - overshoots targets
Hypometria - undershoots target
AREA OF CEREBELLUM EFFECTED: Spinocerebellar
Intention tremor
Involuntary, rhythmic movements that occur during purposeful movement
AREA OF CEREBELLUM EFFECTED: Spino-cerebellum
Dysdiadochkinesia
Difficulty with rapid alternating movements
AREA OF CEREBELLUM EFFECTED: Spino-cerebellum
Nystagmus
Involuntary rhythmic eye movements
AREA OF CEREBELLUM EFFECTED: Vestibulocerebellum
Ocular dysmetria
Eyes are not able to be moved accurately to a target
AREA OF CEREBELLUM EFFECTED: vestibulocerebellum
What is cerebral palsy?
A group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, they are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain
Causes/risk factors of cerebral palsy?
- Prematurity
- Low birth weight
- Prenatal exposures
- Multiple gestations - twins
- Bacterial/viral infection during pregnancy
- Stroke
Diagnosis period of CP?
- From after birth - 24 months - after this time would be classified as an acquired brain injury
- Diagnosis is hard
What are the 3 types of motor distribution in CP?
Hemiplegia/unilateral CP – One half of the body is effected
Diplegia/bilateral CP – Both legs are effected and usually upper limbs are effected to a lesser extent
Quadriplegia/bilateral CP - All four limbs are clearly affected, along with the face, trunk and mouth
What is Spastic CP?
Muscles appear stiff and tight. Arises from motor cortex damage
- most common type
- Hypertonia
What is ataxic CP?
Characterised by shaky movements. Affects balance and sense of positioning in space
- Arises from cerebellum damage
What is Dyskinetic CP?
Characterised by involuntary movements. Arrises from damage to basil ganglia.
What is the most common type of CP?
Spastic - 70%
