ch16-flash

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about neurological disorders.

Malignant Tumor

Cancerous tumor that infiltrates surrounding tissues and may produce metastases.

Benign Tumor

Non-cancerous tumor that is encapsulated and considered harmless, but can damage brain tissue by compression.

Glioma

Brain tumor arising from glial cells (e.g., glioblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma).

Meningioma

Brain tumor originating from the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain.

Neurinoma

Brain tumor formed from Schwann cells around cranial nerves.

Seizure

A sudden, excessive discharge of neurons in the brain.

Partial Seizure

Seizure that does not affect the entire brain. Can be simple (no loss of consciousness) or complex (loss of consciousness).

Generalized Seizure

Seizure that affects most of the brain; includes grand mal seizures.

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

Results from bleeding (hemorrhagic) or blood flow obstruction (ischemic) in the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Stroke resulting from bleeding, potentially due to ruptured blood vessels.

Ischemic Stroke

Stroke caused by blood flow obstruction (thrombus or embolus).

Excitotoxicity

Neuronal death due to excessive glutamate release during strokes.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Brain injury caused by impact. Can be open-head (skull fractured) or closed-head (no skull penetration).

Open-Head TBI

Traumatic brain injury where the skull is fractured, and the brain is exposed.

Closed-Head TBI

Traumatic brain injury where impact causes brain injury without skull penetration.

Parkinsons Disease

Degenerative disorder characterized by motor issues like rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremors.

Huntingtons Disease

Inherited disorder; symptoms include uncontrollable movements and cognitive decline.

Alzheimers Disease

Degenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline, caused by amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis

Autoimmune disorder leading to demyelination.

Korsakoffs Syndrome

Caused by thiamine deficiency; symptoms include confabulation and memory issues, significant for chronic alcoholics.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain that can be viral or bacterial.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges that can be viral or bacterial.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of movement; a common symptom of Parkinson's disease.

Demyelination

Destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

Confabulation

The creation of false memories or narratives without the intent to deceive; a symptom of Korsakoff's syndrome.

What are the primary motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Resting tremor, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability.

Which brain region is primarily affected in Parkinson’s disease?

he substantia nigra pars compacta, where dopaminergic neurons degenerate

How does the loss of dopamine affect motor control in Parkinson’s disease?

Dopamine depletion disrupts the function of the basal ganglia, leading to impaired initiation and control of voluntary movements.​

What is the role of α-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease?

Misfolded α-synuclein proteins aggregate to form Lewy bodies, contributing to neuronal death.

What is the primary pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

Administration of L-DOPA, a precursor to dopamine, to increase dopamine levels in the brain.

Why is L-DOPA preferred over direct dopamine administration?

Dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas L-DOPA can and is then converted to dopamine in the brain.​

What surgical treatment is used for advanced Parkinson’s disease?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus to alleviate motor symptoms.​

Are there genetic factors associated with Parkinson’s disease?

Yes, mutations in genes such as SNCA (α-synuclein) and LRRK2 have been linked to familial forms of the disease.​

How does Parkinson’s disease differ from Huntington’s disease in terms of movement symptoms?

Parkinson’s is characterized by hypokinesia (reduced movement), while Huntington’s involves hyperkinesia (excessive, involuntary movements).

What non-motor symptoms are associated with Parkinson’s disease?

Cognitive decline, mood disorders (such as depression), sleep disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction.