Disorders of the Central Nervous System

Multiple Sclerosis Cause

• an autoimmune disorder

• more women suffer than men

• cause: the immune system attacks the oligodendrocytes, this will lead to scar tissues forming on the adipose connective tissue but eventually even on the axons. Once all of the myelin sheath is disintegrated, the action potential is no longer able to reach the synaptic knob.

• under the myelin sheath there are no sodium or potassium channels, you cannot regenerate the action potential, this leads to the action potential being unable to travel along the axon to the synaptic knob.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

people show symptoms of clumsiness, forgetfulness, leading to bigger issues like muscular issues, then being unable to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and eventually death.

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

immune suppressants

Guillan-Barre Syndrome Cause

When schwann cells get attacked and destroyed, they can recover in this syndrome.

Guillan-Barre Syndrome issues

some medications can make guillan barre syndrome come back (i.e., vaccines)

Explain the cause of subdural hemorrhage

when blood accumulates within the subdural spaces due to traumatic injury that results in the dura mater to tear, you can also get this by having the skull fracture. 

• Accumulation in pressure, pressure on brain → coma → death

Wha is the treatment for subdural hemorrhage?

drill holes into skull so blood leaves cranial space

What are the two main reasons for a subdural hemorrhage?

1. Regular head injury 

2. Age related: caretakers may abuse their patients or their own child (shaken baby syndrome)

How would a medical professional, like an EMT, check if someone has subdural hemorrhage?

Pupillary reflex, if both eyes pupils do not constrict, one constricts and one stays dilated. They need to check brain for further.

Explain the procedure of a spinal tap

a need is injected into the subarachnoid space, a sample of CSF is taken and tested for virus or bacteria (like a biopsy) OR you can inject something via needle into the space

What is a spinal tap also known as?

lumbar puncture