Lecture Notes on Neurological Disorders

Flashcards on alterations in neurotransmission, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, hydrocephalus, and Parkinson's disease.

Cerebral Palsy

A group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination due to damage to the brain that occurs before, during, or after birth.

Cerebral Palsy

The most common motor childhood disability.

Cerebral Palsy

Affects muscle tone, movement, and posture.

Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms can change over time as the child grows and develops, but is not considered a “progressive disease.”

Cerebral Palsy

There is no cure for this condition.

Congenital CP

Occurs before or during birth due to factors such as genetics, brain malformations, or infections during pregnancy.

Acquired CP

Occurs after birth and less common; caused by brain damage from infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.

Spastic CP

Stiff, tight muscles, exaggerated reflexes.

Dyskinetic CP

Uncontrollable movements, difficulty controlling extremities, hands, and feet.

Ataxic CP

Affects balance, coordination, leading to unsteadiness.

Mixed CP

Symptoms of more than one type of CP.

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Abnormal muscle tone (spasticity or hypertonia).

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Balance and posture issues

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Speech and swallowing issues.

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Sensory impairments

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Seizures

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Learning disabilities.

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Drooling and difficulty with fine motor movements

Signs & Symptoms of CP

Bowel and bladder issues

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Delayed milestones, abnormal muscle tone, poor coordination, speech difficulties, intellectual disabilities.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Brain damage before or during birth, lack of oxygen to the brain during birth, infections during pregnancy, head injury in early childhood.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy (0-3 Months)

Poor reflexes and muscle control.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy (3-6 Months)

Poor muscle development and communication.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy (6 Months-1 Year)

Trouble with fine, gross, and oral motor skills, lack of familiarity, poor coordination.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy (1-2 Years)

Awkward muscle tone, delayed physical, cognitive, social, or emotional development.

Scissor Gait

Spastic movement with legs crossed.

Diagnostic Testing for Cerebral Palsy

Developmental screening tests, physical presentations and deficits, CT scans, MRI, genetic and metabolic testing.

Treatments for Cerebral Palsy

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications (antispasmodics, seizure medications, etc.), assistive devices, and surgeries.

Treatment Goals for Cerebral Palsy

Preventing physical deformities, improving mobility, and maximizing independence.

Multiple Sclerosis (Pathophysiology)

Autoimmune inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration of the CNS.

Diagnostics for Multiple Sclerosis

McDonald criteria.

Uhthoff phenomenon

Temporary symptom exacerbation at body temperature.

Typical Treatment for RRMS

Disease modifying therapy (including interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab).

Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)

One symptomatic episode (mono- or multifocal) lasting at least 24 hours.

Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)

Relapses of disease activity followed by remissions (when symptoms are mild or absent).

Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)

Progressive worsening of neurological functioning (with short periods of stability) from onset of symptoms.

Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)

When RRMS transitions into the progressive form of worsening of neurological functioning.

Central Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, unstable mood

Visual Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Nystagmus, optic neuritis, diplopia

Throat Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Dysarthria and dysphagia

Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Weakness, spasms, ataxia

Sensation Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Pain, hypoesthesias, paraesthesias

Bowel Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Incontinence, diarrhea or constipation

Urinary Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Incontinence, frequency or retention

Goals of Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Manage symptoms, slow disease progression, improve quality of life and independence.

Hydrocephalus

A condition in which too much cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles.

Effect of Hydrocephalus on Ventricles

The ventricles widen and swell.

Congenital Causes of Hydrocephalus

Genetic, neural tube defects (spina bifida), infections during pregnancy (rubella), Aqueductal stenosis.

Acquired Causes of Hydrocephalus

Head trauma, stroke, tumors, infection, and bleeding

Signs of Hydrocephalus in Newborns

Rapid increase in head circumference, large head, bulging fontanels, vomiting, and lethargy.

Signs of Hydrocephalus in Older Children

Headache, vomiting, visual changes, balance problems, memory difficulties, loss of bladder control, fatigue, personality changes.

Treatment of Hydrocephalus

A shunt to drain excess fluid.

Parkinson’s disease

Progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement.

Parkinson's Disease Cause

Loss of nerve cells that produce dopamine.

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

Idiopathic, genetics, environmental exposures, Lewy Bodies.

Lewy Bodies

Abnormal 'clumping' of proteins called 𝞪-synuclein in the brain

Two types of Parkinson's Symptoms

Motor impairments and non-motor impairments

Motor Impairments of Parkinson's Disease

Bradikinesia, tremor, muscular rigidity, postural imbalance, freezing of movements, walking diificulties

Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Stooped posture, masked face, back rigidity, forward trunk tilt, flexed elbows and wrists, hand tremor.

Diagnosing Parkinson's Disease

Review patient’s medical history and symptoms.

Levodopa

Replenishes dopamine levels in the brain.

Dopamine Agonist

Mimics dopamine effects in the brain.

Enzyme Inhibitors

Prevents the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.

Other Treatments for Parkinson's

Physical therapy, exercise, diet, and surgeries.

Goals of occupational therapy

Maximizes independence, promotes function

Speech pathologist goal

Problems with speech and feeding

Role of Dietitian

Assists with nutrition for the patient

Key sign on Brain Scan of Hydrocephalus

Enlarged ventricles

Aim of physical therapy.

To promote improved gross motor skills

Diagnosis with Levodopa

The medication to help manage symptoms is effective

Neurodegenerative

The nervous system breaks down over time

Symptoms worsen over time

Progressive

Forms of Hydrocephalus due to cause

Congenital or Acquired

Parkinson's and Sex

More common in males.

Meningitis and Encephalitis cerebral palsy cause

Infections

Paralysis meaning

The loss of movement.

Aids with communication

Speech Language Pathologist

Hydrocephalus definition:

A condition of which too much cerebral spinal fluid accumulates in the brain

The goal for physical and occupational therpay.

To improve function and motion

How hydrocephalus damages the brain

Increase pressure in the skull and can damage brain tissue

Signs of Hydrocephalus in older children

Visual changes, balance and coordination

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Speech and Swallowing difficulties

Increased Muscle Tone

Spasticity

Neurotransmission

The process when there is a communication with nerve cells

Brain Doctor for Parkinson's and MS

Neurologist

Good for bowel issues

Gastroenterologist

Multiple Sclerosis age.

The average age is twenty to forty.

Alzheimer's disease

Progressive

Ataxia meaning

The loss of balance

Mobility problem that is common.

Shuffling gait

Diagnosied with medical history

Parkinson's disease

A key side effect relating to muscles

Muscle spasms

Multiple Sclerosis

Demyelination

Hydrocephalus and adults

Headaches

Adults with Hydrocephalus

Sleepiness

Babies with Hydrocephalus

Irritability

What does a occupational therapist help you with.

Fine motor skills

CP

Abnormalities in muscle tone

Hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and parkinsons all have what.

Neurological Dysfunction

Most common CP form

Spastic cp