Patho Ch 34: Chronic and Degenerative Neurological Disorders

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