Chap 16: Neurological Disorders

Tumor types

benign

- malignant

Benign Tumors

Encapsulated tumors that do not invade surrounding tissues.

localized non invasive

Malignant Tumors

Invasive tumors that infiltrate surrounding tissues.

- invasive, spreads

Tumors can damage brain by

compression and infiltration.

Common Tumors

Gliomas, which are the most common and originate from glial cells.

Tumor treatments

• Surgery

• Radiation

• Chemotherapy

• Laser ablation (newer method)

Seizures

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Types of seizures

partial and generalized

Partial Seizures

Seizures that affect a specific brain region and may allow person to remain conscious

Generalized Seizures

Seizures that affect the entire brain and result in loss of consciousness.

Aura

Warning signs that precede a seizure.

Convulsions

Motor symptoms associated with seizures.

Causes of siezures

- Brain injury

- tumors

genetic factors

Siezure treatmetns

anticonvulsants (increase in Gaba activity)

Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke)

Disruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to brain damage.

Ischemic Stroke

Most common type of stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Type of stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel leading to bleeding.

Mechanism of Stroke

Decreased oxygen leads to cell death and glutamate excitotoxicity (NMDA receptors)

Stroke treatments

- clot busting drugs

- surgical removal

rehab

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Injury to the brain caused by blows to the head, falls, or accidents.

Closed Head Injury

Type of TBI where the skull remains intact.

Open Head Injury

Type of TBI where the skull is penetrated.

Effects of TBI

- cognitive deficits

- memory problems

- emotional changes

CTE

- special cases of TBI

- repeated concussions --> long term damage

TBI treatments

- reduce swelling

- Rehab

- cognitive therapy

Degenerative Disorders

Conditions that lead to progressive degeneration of brain function.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE)

Progressive brain infections caused by unusual pathogens called prions, leading to loss of brain structure and function.

- prions = misfolded proteins

=> cause brain damage

Parkinson's Disease

Caused by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra.

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Resting tremor, rigidity, and slow movement (bradykinesia).

Parkinsons disease mechanisms

decrease in dopamine = basal ganglia dysfunction

Parkinsons treatment

- L Dopa

- Deep brain stimulation

Huntington's Disease

Genetic disorder characterized by CAG repeat expansion.

Cause of Huntington's disease

CAG repeat on chromosome 4

Huntington's disease effects

- degneration of Basal Ganglia

- cortex

Symptoms of Huntington disease

uncontrolled movements

cognitive decline

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Condition caused by motor neuron degeneration leading to muscle weakness.

ALS symptoms

Muscle weakness

paralysis

- often linked to SOD1 gene mutation

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune attack on myelin causing slowed neural transmission.

- slowed neural transmission

symptoms of MS

- vision

- motor issues

- relapsing remitting pattern

MS treatment

immunomodulatory drugs

Dementia (Alzheimer's Disease)

Brain degeneration characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Brain regions effected by dementia

Hippocampus ( memory dirst affected)

Dementia symptoms

memory loss

cognitive decline

Main neurtransmitter affected in dementia

acetylcholine

Korsakoff's Syndrome

Caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency, often due to alcoholism.

symptoms of Korsakoffs syndrome

memory problems confabulation

Intro - Infectious brain disorders

Encephalitis

Brain inflammation, often of viral origin.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges.

- fever

- headache

- neck stiffness