Neurons
Conduct electrical signals
Glial cells
Phagocytose foreign matter and cellular debris
Neuron has 4 major parts
Dendrites •Cell body •Axon •Axon terminals
how many axons does a neuron have
1
what do axon terminals contain
neurotransmitters.
Synapse
Space between neurons where neurotransmitters move from one neuron to another.
Types of neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine • Norepinephrine • Serotonin • Dopamine • Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) • Glutamate
Dopamine
behavior, movement, memory; CNS
Norepinephrine
Excitatory stress hormone
Glutamate
Excitatory signal in CNS
Myelin
Protective sheath around axon of some neurons; Acts like insulation around electrical wire.
what is referred to as white matter
myelin
Epilepsy
Chronic neurological disorder with recurrent seizures ; disrupted channel activation leading to repetitive synchronous firing of neuronal action potentials
Seizure
Sudden, abnormal, disorderly discharge of neurons within the brain
Generalized Seizures
Arises in one hemisphere and evolves to involve both hemispheres
Absence seizures
Client is unaware of seizure activity
Focal
localized within 1 cerebral hemisphere. Stays in that hemisphere.
Clonic
Motor symptoms with sustained rhythmical jerking
Tonic
Muscles become tense or rigid.
Atonic
Weak or limp muscles
Myoclonus
Muscle twitching
Epileptic spasms
Repeated flexion and extension of the whole body.
Non-motor symptom
Absence seizures” (staring spells with no movement)
Aura
Sensation before a seizure • Could be described as a strange light, unpleasant smell, confusing thoughts.
Ictal period
Episode of the seizure;time
Postictal
After seizure complete • Person may be tired, confused, nauseated, may have amnesia
Primary headaches
Arise independent of any other medical illness or traumatic cause • Tension-type, migraine, and trigeminal autonomic cephalgia
Secondary headaches
Caused by another primary condition • Head injury, vascular problems, medication side effects, sinus disease, and tumors
what is the most common primary headache
Tension Type Headache
where are tension headaches position
Bilateral pain with mild to moderate pressure
does tension headache worsen with activity
no
Migraine Headache
Periodic, throbbing headaches • Altered perceptions, nausea, and severe pain
what makes migraines worse
movement
Viral Meningitis
mumps, measles, herpes, West Nile virus. • No vaccine
S/S viral meningitis
Headache, nuchal rigidity, photophobia, fever, chills, nausea/vomiting, altered level of consciousness, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, tachycardia, seizures, red macular rash
Bacterial Meningitis
otitis media, pneumonia, sinusitis
Parkinson’s Disease
Progressive loss of dopamine-producing cells in the basal ganglia
what moderates movement such as posture, standing, walking, writing.
Basal ganglia
what stimulates muscle movement
Acetylcholine
Dopamine depletion imbalance causes
unopposed acetylcholine (tremors, uncoordinated movements)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Chronic demyelinating disorder. • Autoimmune inflammatory disorder: T cell-mediated attack of myelin
what does MS impact
Affects brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves
what heals during remission of MS
Myelin damage
MS characterized by
Characterized by remissions and exacerbations
MS risks
Genetic predisposition, viral process, trauma, female, Northern European descent, living in cooler climates