IPHY 2400 Chapter 9: Neurology and the Nervous System

amnesia

partial or full memory los due to hippocampus dmg

anencephaly

rare congenital condition where all or part of the cranium and cerebrum are missing. fatal within first few days after birth.

aphasia

can’t communicate verbally or in writing

brain death

irreversible loss of brain function. confirmed by a flat EKG for 30m

brain tumor

benign or malignant tumor in the brain. benign are still dangerous

glioma

benign or malignant tumor from any neurological cell

astrocytoma

malignant tumor from the astrocytes in the cerebrum

ependymoma

benign tumor from ependymal cells in ventricles and central spinal cord.

meningioma

malignant tumor from astrocytes around brain and spinal cord

cephalagia

headache

cerebral palsy (CP)

lack of O2 to brain at birth. leads to spastic muscles, lack of coordination, paralysis, seizures, and intellectual disability.

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

disruption or blockage of blood to the brain due to a stroke.

coma

deep unconscious and unresponsiveness due to trauma, disease, or metabolic imbalance

concussion

immediate loss of consciousness after a sudden impact of the brain with the cranium. Pt is watched for hemorrhage

delirium

acute confusion, disorientation, and agitation due to toxic lvls of chemicals, drugs, and alc

neurocognitive disorder (NCD)

neurons die, cerebral cortex shrinks, decrease in mental function. formerly called dementia

down syndrome

genetic defect created by trisomy on chromosome 21

dyslexia

abnormality in occipital lobe that makes reading and writing difficult

encephalitis

-itis of the brain due to viral infection. fever, headache, vomit, irritability, and photophobia.

epilepsy

groups of neurons spontaneously send out abnormal, uncontrolled, reoccurring, electrical impulses

tonic-clonic seizure

Pt is unconscious w/excessive motor activity. 1-2m. alternates between muscle tone (tonic) and contractions (clonic)

abscence seizure

Pt unconscious w slight or no muscle activity. vacant staring, blinking, facial tics. 5-15 sec

hematoma

localized blood collection of blood due to trauma/hemorrhage

hydrocephalus

excessive CSF or blocked CSF flow in the brain. leads to increased pressure, distended vesicles and the brain compresses

meningitis

-itis of the meninges due to bacterium/virus

migraine headache

recurring headache with severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head. possibly due to constriction and sudden dilation of brain arteries

narcolepsy

brief episodes of involuntary falling asleep

parkinsons disease

type of NCD. imbalance of dopamine and acetylcholine lvls.

syncope

temporary loss of consciousness associated with decreased blood to the brain.

neural tube defect

congenital abnormality of neural tube. opening in the vertebral column leading to an opening covered by the skin and meninges

meningocele

spinal cord pushes thru defect

meningomyeocele

meninges and spinal cord protrude

radiculopathy

acute or chronic condition of pressure and pain on spinal nerve roots due to tumor, arthritis, or herniated disk.

spinal cord injury (SCI)

partial or complete transection of spinal cord. nerve impulses interrupted leading to partial or complete loss of sensation and paralysis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosus (ALS)

chronic, progressive disease of motor nerves. leads to muscle wasting and eventual paralysis. sensation remains and cognition is unaffected

anesthesia

loss of sensation. temporary or permanent

bell palsy

weakness, drooping, paralysis on one side of the face due to facial nerve inflammation. usually temporary

carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

condition caused by repetitive hand and wrist motions. inflammation of forearm tendons with carpal tunnel of the writst

guillain-barre syndrome

autoimmune disorder- body produces antibodies against myelin. muscles weak and sensation changes. starts in the legs and rapidly involves the whole body

hyperesthesia

high sensitivity to tough and pain

multiple sclerosis (MS)

chronic, progressive, autoimmmune disorder where the body makes antibodies against myelin.

neuralgia

pain alon path of a nerve and branches due to injury

neuritis

-itis of nerve. polyneuritis is many nerves.

neuroma

benign nerve tumor

neuropathy

nerve disease or injury

parasthesia

abnormal tingling or burning on the skin due to nerve damage and diabetic neuropathy

cerebral angiography

contrast dye and x-rays outline brain arteries. shows aneurysms, stenosis, arterial plaques, and tumors

doppler ultrasonagraphy

high freq sound waves makes a 2D image of stenosis, plaque, or turbulence in carotid arteries

positron emission tomography (PET)

radioactive glucose is metabolized and releases positrons in the brain. creates an image of cellular/metabolic brain activity.

electroencephalography (EEG)

records electrical activity of the brain. R/L should be the same (if not: tumor), abnormal waves: encephalopathy/dementia

evoked potential testing

EEG and stimulus records change in brain waves

visual evoked repsonse

evaluates nerve paths from eye to brain

brainstem auditory evoked response

evaluates nerve paths from ear to brain

somatosensory evoked response

evaluates nerve paths from extremities to the brain

nerve conduction study

2 electrodes determine speed where electrical impulse travels along the nerve.

polysomnography

measures EEG, eye movements, muscle activity, HR, and respirations. taken while Pt sleeps, Dx insomnia and sleep apnea

babinski sign

test reflexes, hammer hits sole of foot. normal/neg test: toes curl. Abnormal/positive test: big toe flexes, others fan out

glasgow coma scale (GCS)

measures depth of the coma. lower=more severe

lumbar puncture (LP)

Px to obtain CSF; spinal tap

mini-mental stale examination (MMSE)

tests concrete, abstract thinking, LT, ST memory. name, date, location.

neurologic examination

tests coordination, sensation, balance, and gait

spinal traction

immobilization of fractures spine during healing

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

block transmission of pain sensations and stimulate body’s endorphin production

antiepiletics

prevent seizures associated w epilepsy

alzheimers disease drugs

inhibit an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

neuralgia and neuropathy drugs

includes anticonvulsants, antianxiety/depression

parkinsons disease drugs

stimulate dopamine receptors and inhibit acetylcholine

aneurysmectomy

removal of an aneurysm and repair of the artery

carotid endarterectomy

removal of plaque from carotid artery, restored flow to the brain and decrease stroke risk

craniotomy

initial incision into cranium to expose brain pre-op

diskectomy

all or partial removal of herniated nucleus pulposus from an intervetebral disk; relieves pressure on nerve roots and relieves pain

stereotactic neurosurgery

3D coordinate system pinpoints a location of a deep brain tumor. heat, cold, and gamma rays destroy it.

ventriculoperitoneal shunt

tube used to remove excess CSF from ventricles of the brain and transport it to the peritoneal cavity for resorption by blood.