IPHY 2400 - Unit 9 - Neurology

Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness; fainting

Coma

A state of deep unconsciousness and unresponsiveness

Delirium

Acute confusion, disorientation, and agitation due to toxic levels of chemicals, drugs, or alcohol

Cephalalgia

A headache

Migraine headache

Recurring headache with severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)

Migraine treatment; CGRP is a protein that influences blood vessel dilation

Meningitis

Infection and inflammation of the meninges due to a bacterium or virus

Encephalitis

Inflammation and infection of the brain caused by a viral infection

Epilepsy

Recurring condition in which groups of neurons in the brain spontaneously send out abnormal, uncontrolled electrical impulses

Tonic-clonic seizure

The patient is unconscious with excessive motor activity

Absence seizure

The patient is conscious with slight or no muscle activity

Complex partial seizure

The patient has some impaired consciousness with some involuntary contractions

Simple partial seizure

The patient has no impaired consciousness; lots of involuntary motor activity

Hematoma

Localized collection of blood due to cranial trauma or hemorrhage

Concussion

Immediate loss of consciousness (LOC) due to sudden impact of the brain with the cranium

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Progressive degenerative disease. Affects people who have had multiple concussions and traumatic brain injuries

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Disruption or blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes an infarct; a stroke

Anencephaly

Rare congenital condition in which all or part of the cranium and cerebrum are missing; fatal

Amnesia

Partial or total loss of memory due to damage to the hippocampus

Aphasia

Loss of the ability to communicate verbally or in writing

Brain tumor

Benign or malignant tumor in any area of the brain

Glioma

Benign or malignant tumor from any neuroglial cell

Ependymoma

Benign tumor from ependymal cells in the ventricles and central spinal canal

Astrocytoma

Malignant tumor from astrocytes in the cerebrum

Schwannoma

Benign tumor from the Schwann cells that produce myelin near the cranial or spinal nerves

Meningioma

Benign tumor from the meninges around the brain or spinal cord

Dyslexia

Difficulty reading and writing words, though visual acuity and intelligence are normal

Cerebral palsy (CP)

Caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain at birth

Down syndrome

Genetic defect created by random error in cell division; causes three copies of chromosome 21 in the genes rather than two copies

Hydrocephalus

Excessive CSF or blocked CSF flow in the brain that causes increased pressure

Narcolepsy

Brief episodes of involuntarily falling asleep while engaged in daytime activities

Neurocognitive disorder (NCD)

Disease of the brain in which many neurons die, the cerebral cortex shrinks in size, and mental function deteriorates; formerly called dementia

Alzheimer’s disease

Hereditary dementia (mutations found on chromosomes 1, 14, and 21)

Parkinson’s disease

Chronic, degenerative disease caused by imbalance in dopamine levels

Multiple sclerosis

Chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder in which the body makes antibodies against myelin in CNS

Brain death

Irreversible loss of brain function; confirmed by an electroencephalogram (EEG) that is flat, indicating no brain wave activity, for thirty minutes

Radiculopathy

Acute or chronic condition of pressure and pain on spinal nerve roots; caused by a tumor, arthritis, or herniated disk

Neural tube defect

Congenital abnormality of the neural tube, an embryonic spinal structure

Spinal cord injury (SCI)

Partial or complete transection of the spinal cord

Anesthesia

Loss of sensation of any type; can be temporary or permanent

Paresthesia

Condition of abnormal tingling or burning sensation on the skin

Hyperesthesia

Increased sensitivity to touch and pain stimuli

Neuralgia

Pain along the path of a nerve and its branches caused by injury

Neuritis

Infection or inflammation of a nerve

Neuroma

Benign tumor of a nerve

Neuropathy

General term for any type of nerve disease or injury

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Chronic condition caused by repetitive hand and wrist motions; there is inflammation of the forearm tendons within the carpal tunnel of the wrist

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig disease)

Chronic, progressive disease of the motor nerves that go from the spinal cord to the muscles

Bell palsy

Weakness, drooping, or paralysis on one side of the face due to facial nerve inflammation; usually temporary

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Tests concrete and abstract thinking and long- and short-term memory

Neurologic examination

Tests coordination, sensation, balance, and gait

Babinski sign

Test of reflexes using the end of a percussion hammer to stroke the sole of the foot

Glasgow coma scale (GCS)

Numerical scale that measures the depth of a coma; total score ranges from 1-15 and is additive of scores for individual response scores

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)

Amniotic fluid test to determine if a fetus has meningocele or meningomyelocele

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic field and radio waves that create image slices of the cranium, brain, vertebral column, and spinal cord to make a complete image

Computed axial tomography (CAT, CT)

X-ray slices of the cranium, brain, vertebral column, or spinal cord used to create a compete image; contrast dye can provide greater detail

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Radioactive glucose that, as it is metabolized, releases positrons that create an image of cellular and metabolic brain activity

Doppler ultrasonography

High-frequency sound waves that produce a two-dimensional image of stenosis, plaque, or turbulence in carotid arteries

Arteriology

Contrast dye is injected; dye travels to carotid artery which distributes blood throughout the brain

Lumbar puncture (LP)

Procedure to obtain CSF for laboratory testing or test pressure of CSF; spinal tap

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination

Visually examines color and clarity of CSF, microscopically examines cells in CSF, and chemically tests CSF for proteins

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electrodes placed on the head and connected to a machine to record the electrical activity of the brain

Evoked potential testing

EEG and stimulus used to record changes in brain waves

Nerve conduction study

Two electrodes placed at measured intervals used to determine the speed at which an electrical impulse travels along a nerve

Polysomnography

EEG and eye movement, muscle activity, heartbeat, and respiration measurements taken while a patient sleeps; diagnoses insomnia and sleep apnea

Spinal traction

Immobilization of fractured spine during healing

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Regular electrical impulses that block the transmission of pain sensations

Analgesics

Take away pain associated with nervous diseases; may be narcotic or over-the counter

Antiepileptics

Prevent seizures associated with epilepsy; also called anticonvulsants

Corticosteroids

Treat inflammation associated with chronic pain and multiple sclerosis

Alzheimer’s disease drugs

Inhibit an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine

Neuralgia and neuropathy drugs

Include anticonvulsants, antianxiety drugs, and antidepressants

Parkinson’s disease drugs

Stimulate dopamine receptors

Biopsy

Removal of a mass or tumor of the brain or other part of the nervous system

Aneurysmectomy

Removal of an aneurysm and repair of the artery

Carotid endarterectomy

Removal of plaque from within the carotid artery; restores blood flow to the brain and decreases the likelihood of a stroke

Craniotomy

Initial incision into the cranium to expose the brain prior to any type of brain surgery

Diskectomy

Removal of all or part of a herniated nucleus pulposus from an intervertebral disk; relieves pressure on nerve roots and relieves pain

Laminectomy

Removal of the lamina; relieves pressure on the spinal roots and decreases pain of a herniated nucleus pulposus

Stereotactic neurosurgery

Use of a 3D coordinate system to pinpoint the location of a deep brain tumor

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt

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

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

CNS

central nervous system

CP

cerebral palsy

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

EEG

electroencephalogram; electroencephalography

LOC

loss of consciousness

MS

multiple sclerosis

TBI

traumatic brain injury

TENS

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

TIA

transient ischemic attack