CNS Disorders Flashcards

Flashcards containing questions and answers regarding CNS disorders based on provided lecture notes.

What does CNS stand for?

Central Nervous System

What does PNS stand for?

Peripheral Nervous System

What two components make up the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

Brain and Spinal Cord

What is the main function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?

Extend from the brain and spinal cord to other areas of the body

What is the function of neurons in the CNS?

Rapid transmission of nervous impulses

What are the two types of transmission between neurons?

Electrical and Chemical

What are the impulses called in electrical transmission?

Action Potentials

What mediates chemical transmission between adjacent neurons?

Neurotransmitters

What effect do excitatory neurotransmitters (EPSPs) have?

Propagate the impulse

What effect do inhibitory neurotransmitters (IPSPs) have?

Reduce the impulse

Name the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Glutamate

What functions is Glutamate involved in?

Cognition, memory, learning

Name the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

GABA

What is the primary function of GABA?

Prevents brain from over-excitation, calming CNS

Which neurotransmitter is principally involved in thought, learning, and memory?

Acetylcholine

What is Acetylcholine synthesized from?

Choline

Which neurotransmitter is associated with reward mechanisms?

Dopamine

Where is Dopamine produced?

Basal Ganglia

What are the roles of Dopamine?

Motivation (addiction), attention, motor activity, and mood

List four common CNS disorders discussed in the lecture.

Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia

Which neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson's Disease?

Dopamine

What part of the brain degenerates in Parkinson's Disease?

Basal Ganglia

What are some symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?

Muscle rigidity, tremor, difficulty initiating or stopping movement

What is the typical first line treatment for Parkinson's Disease?

L-dopa (dopamine precursor)

What is the role of Carbidopa in Parkinson's treatment?

Inhibits the peripheral metabolism of L-dopa to dopamine

What is the role of Selegiline in Parkinson's treatment?

Selective, irreversible MAO-B inhibitor

What does DBS stand for in the context of Parkinson's treatment?

Deep Brain Stimulation

What are some personality traits associated with Parkinson's patients?

Industriousness, punctuality, orderliness, inflexibility, cautiousness

Which area of the brain is affected in Alzheimer's Disease?

Cerebral Cortex

What is the most common cause of dementia?

Alzheimer's Disease

What is the typical first manifestation of Alzheimer's Disease?

Failing memory

What is the correlation with ACh synthesis in Alzheimer's Disease?

Correlation with ACh synthesis but not ChAT

What are neurofibrillary tangles made of?

Aggregated P-Tau

Name some symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in early stages.

Memory lapses, forgetting names, recent events, appointments

How is Alzheimer's Disease diagnosed?

Clinical examination and neuropsychological tests

What is a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease that blocks glutamate binding?

NMDA antagonist (e.g. Memantine)

What is epilepsy characterized by?

Recurrent seizures

What causes epilepsy at a neurobiological level?

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain

Name two types of Generalised Seizures.

Grand mal (tonic-clonic seizures) and Petit mal (absence seizures)

Describe the symptoms of Grand mal seizures.

Loss of consciousness, limb extension and rigidity, violent synchronous jerks

What is a common tool for diagnosing Epilepsy?

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Name a treatment method for epilepsy that enhances GABA actions.

Phenobarbitone, diazepam

What is thought disorder also known as?

Schizophrenia

When does Schizophrenia have its typical onset?

Adolescence/early adulthood

What is a potential cause of Schizophrenia?

Too much dopamine in the mesocorticlimbic areas

Name some negative symptoms of Schizophrenia.

Emotional flattening, social withdrawal, self-neglect, low motivation

How is Schizophrenia diagnosed?

Clinical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms

How do antipsychotic drugs treat Schizophrenia?

By blocking dopaminergic function