Term
| What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig's disease? |
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Definition
| A motor neuron disease characterized by gradually, progession degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons, leading eventually to respiratory failure and death |
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Term
| What is the cause of ALS? |
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Definition
| Idiopathic; occurs sporadically; can be an autosomal dominant, recessive or X-linked transmission |
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Term
| What is the Incidence of ALS? |
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Definition
| 1 to 3 per 100,000; slightly more common in men; usual age of onset is 50s and 60s |
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Term
| What are some sign and symptoms of ALS? |
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Definition
| Weakness or clumsiness, which often begins focally and then spreads to adjacent muscle groups; |
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Term
| What are some complications of ALS? |
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Definition
Pneumonia
Pressure ulcers
aspiration
contractures |
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Term
| Neurological examination findings of ALS? |
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Definition
Weakness
Increased muscle tone
brisk deep tendon reflexes
muscle atrophy
fasciculations |
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Term
| How does ALS progress over time? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are some examples of DDX of ALS? |
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Definition
| MS; Spinal Cord Neoplasm; Central Nervous System Syphilis; Polyarteritis; Syringomyelia; Myasthenia Gravis; Progessive muscluar distrophy; Progressive strokes |
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Term
| What is the median survival rate of ALS? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy? |
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Definition
| Characterized by neuronal degeneration in the mid-brain, pons, basal ganglia (caudate/putamen) and Dentate Nucleus in the cerebellum; causes serious and permanent problems with control of gait and balance |
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Term
| What are the 3 main symptoms of PSP? |
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Definition
1. Supranuclear Opthalmic Lesion
2. Gait Disorder
3. Dementia |
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Term
| Supranuclear Opthalmic Lesion |
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Definition
Lesion in the area of the brain that coordinates eye movements
** Inability to aim eyes properly-vertical gaze (cant tract up and down)
dysfunction of the eye muscles |
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Term
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Definition
| rigidity; bradykinesia; neck extended; *no tremors |
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Term
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Definition
| starts as forgetfulness; slowed thought; alterations of mood and behavior; progresses much faster than Parkinson's |
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Term
| What are some diagnostic signs of PSP? |
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Definition
| Identification of early gait instability; difficulty moving eyes |
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Term
| What is PSP often misdiagnosed as? |
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Definition
| Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Creutzfeld-Jakob disease |
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Term
| What is treatment of PSP? |
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Definition
| Levodopa paired with Carbodopa, anticholinergic drugs, antidepressants |
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Term
| What is the most common cause of death of PSP? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| An unintentional involuntary rhythmic muscle movement involving oscillating movements of one or more body parts; alternating contractions of both agonist and antagonist |
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Term
| Where does most tremors occur? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the two type of tremors? |
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Definition
| Resting tremor and action tremor |
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Term
| What is a resting tremor? |
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Definition
| Present when muscles are at rest; amplitude increases during |
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