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Neuropathophysiology - Chronic Degenrative Problems
Pathology of the neural system
59
Physiology
Undergraduate 3
12/14/2013

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Term
What is characteristic of multiple sclerosis?
Definition
Demylenation of central neurons
Term
Which are the first regions to be affected? Why?
Definition
Ventricles, brain stem, optic nerve; these areas have a lot of neural activity so they are affected first
Term
What is the cause of demylenation of these neurons?
Definition
Inflammation causes myelin to be replaced with scar tissue (plaques)
Term
(T/F) MS is characterized by remissions and exacerbations
Definition
True
Term
Which sex is more vulnerable, and at what age are most people affected?
Definition
- Females
- 20-40
Term
Individuals in a ___________ climate are more susceptible to MS. Why might this be?
Definition
Temperate; possibly because of a VetD deficiency
Term
What are the signs of MS?
Definition
- blurred vision
- diplopia
- scotoma (spot on visual field)
- paresthesias, fatigue
- progressive muscle weakness
- bladder, bowel dysfunction
Term
What two things contribute to MS diagnosis?
Definition
1. MRI
2. CSF with proteins of lymphocytes
Term
What are the 5 treatments for MS?
Definition
1. Interferon
2. Monoclonal AB's
3. Steroids
4. Avoid exertion
5. Medical MJ
Term
What is Parkinson's disease?
Definition
Disease of the basal nuclei in the brain
Term
What does this disease cause?
Definition
Dopamine deficiency, and thus, imbalance between ACh and dopamine
Term
Which motor system is affected by Parkinsons?
Definition
Extrapyramidal
Term
What are the signs of Parkinsons?
Definition
- resting tremor
- rigidity, bradykinesia (slower movements)
- difficulty swallowing, initiating motion
- shuffling gait
- stooped posture
Term
What two things appear at the later stages of parkinsons?
Definition
- Orthostatic hypertension
- Dementia
Term
How is Huntington's disease inherited? At what age is its onset seen?
Definition
Autosomal dominant; 35-50 years
Term
What is the cause of it?
Definition
Depletion of GABA in the basal ganglia
Term
What does this this depletion lead to?
Definition
Brain atrophy
Term
List the consequences of brain atrophy
Definition
- Choreiform movements
- Mood swings, poor judgement, memory lapses (due to atrophy of different parts of the brain)
Term
What is another name for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Definition
Lou Gherig's disease
Term
What occurs in ALS? Are there any apparent causes?
Definition
Degeneration of the lateral corticospinal tracts.
- No apparent nerve inflammation
Term
(T/F) ALS also has sensory, autonomic and/or cognitive involvements as well
Definition
False, disturbances seem to ONLY be in the motor dracts
Term
Where does it start?
Definition
Distally in limbs
Term
What are 2 signs of ALS? What does it progress to?
Definition
- Muscular atrophy
- Dysarthia (because of CN nerve involvement)
- Progresses to respiratory failure
Term
What percentage of ALS patients exhibit the superoxide dismutase mutation?
Definition
20%
Term
What are the 2 leading causes of dementia?
Definition
1. Alzheimers
2. Vascular injury
Term
What are the signs/symptoms of dementia?
Definition
- cortical function loss
- language difficulty, innumeracy
- loss of motor co-ordination
- short-term memory loss; confusion about long term events
- personality changes
Term
(T/F) The forgetting seen in dementia is the same as when someone normally forgets a fact
Definition
False
Term
How does forgetfulness differ with dementia?
Definition
Patients cannot remember even if clues are present
Term
(T/F) Computational ability is lost with dementia patients
Definition
False
Term
(T/F) The cause of Alzheimers is known
Definition
False, but genetic factors are present
Term
List two contributing factors to Alz
Definition
- Cortical atrophy
- Beta amyloid plaques
Term
What can cause cortical atrophy?
Definition
- Dilated ventricles
- Widened sulci
Term
What is tau protein?
Definition
Clusters of degenerating nerve terminals around an amyloid core - neurofibrillary tangles
Term
(T/F) Tau protein presence means that the patient must have Alz always indicative of
Definition
False, it depends on the area of the brain that the tau protein forms
Term
(T/F) The sensory cortex is spared in Alz
Definition
True
Term
What results from the cortical and nervous degeneration in Alz?
Definition
Decreased ACh levels
Term
Describe the early, progressing and late stages of Alzheimers
Definition
Early: getting lost easily, loss of sense of humour, social withdrawal
Progressing:confusion in familiar places, difficulty with daily tasks, language
problems
Late:motor problems, incontinence, no awareness of surroundings
Term
List treatments for Alz
Definition
Term
What is the average survival period for a patient with Alz?
Definition
7 years
Term
List two common mental disorders
Definition
1. Schizophrenia
2. Depression
Term
(T/F) Schiz is a spectrum of disorders
Definition
True
Term
(T/F) Shiz patient usually exhibit multiple personalities
Definition
False
Term
(T/F) Schiz does not usually display concordance in twins
Definition
False, usually both twins will have the disorder
Term
What two abnormalities are seen in Schiz patients?
Definition
1. Enlarged 3rd/4th ventricles
3. Decreased bloodflow to frontal lobes
Term
List the positive symptoms of Schiz
Definition
Delusions, bizarre behaviour, incoherence, hallucinations (esp auditory)
Term
List the negative symptoms of Schiz
Definition
flat, apathetic, anhedonic, withdraw socially
Term
What substance usually has increased levels in Schizo patients? What is used to overcome this?
Definition
Dopamine; D1 receptor antagonists
Term
(T/F) SSRI's are also given to Schiz patients
Definition
True
Term
What is the rationale behind this?
Definition
LSD (5HT receptor antagonist) mimicks the symptoms of Schiz
Term
Why is it thought that there may be an NMDA receptor disorder?
Definition
Because PCP, which is an NMDA blocker, exhibits similar behaviours as well
Term
(T/F) Depression is a thought disorder
Definition
False, it is a mood disorder
Term
What are the 3 types?
Definition
1. Unipolar
2. Bipolar
3. Reactive
Term
What characterizes bipolar disorder?
Definition
Mood swings between depression and manic episodes
Term
What two things can cause reactive depression?
Definition
- A life event
- Depression that comes along with a major disease
Term
(T/F) There is a genetic component to depression
Definition
True
Term
List characteristics of depression
Definition
- Sleep disorders
- Lack of energy that interferes with daily life
Term
What are two chemical abnormalities seen with depression?
Definition
- Decreased NE
- Decreased serotonin
Term
What are the treatments for depression?
Definition

- Tricyclic antidepressants

- SSRI's

- NE reuptake inhibitors

- ETC

- MAO inhibitors

Term
Why do MAO inhibitors work?
Definition
Monoamineoxidase is the enzyme that breaks down Epi/NE, and so inhibiting it increases levels of these substances
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