Clinical Neurophysiology Review Flashcards

A collection of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts in clinical neurophysiology for reviewing key topics and terms.

Nerve conduction studies

Used to evaluate the function of peripheral nerves and diagnose conditions affecting nerve health.

EEG (Electroencephalography)

A method used to record electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp.

EMG (Electromyography)

A technique that assesses the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them by measuring muscle electrical activity.

Potassium channels

Ion channels that allow potassium ions to flow across the cell membrane, crucial for maintaining the resting membrane potential.

Na-K pump

A membrane protein that transports sodium out of cells and potassium into cells, maintaining the ion concentration gradients essential for action potentials.

Action potential

A rapid change in the membrane potential that propagates along axons, enabling nerve signal transmission.

Resting membrane potential

The electrical potential difference across the neuronal membrane when the neuron is not transmitting signals, typically around -70mV.

Corticospinal tract

Neural pathways that transmit motor commands from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Motor unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates; basic functional unit in muscle contraction.

F-wave

A type of motor nerve response generated by stimulating a motor axon, which feeds back to the motoneuron.

Refractory period

The time period after an action potential during which a neuron is unable to fire another action potential.

Monosynaptic reflex

A reflex that involves a single synapse between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron.

Polysynaptic reflex

A reflex that involves one or more interneurons in addition to the sensory and motor neurons.

Glutamate

The major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Somatotopy

The mapping of the body onto the brain or cortex, where areas correspond to different body parts.

Current dipole

A model used to describe the electrical activity of a group of neurons as a point source of electrical current.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Post-synaptic potential

The change in membrane potential of a postsynaptic neuron due to neurotransmitter binding.

Extracellular recording

A technique to measure electrical activity from neurons using electrodes placed outside the cell.

Volume conduction

The spread of electrical activity through tissue, affecting the signals recorded on electrodes.

Signal processing

The methods used to analyze and interpret the recorded electrical signals in neurophysiology.

Neuromuscular junction

The synapse or connection point between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.

Cortical excitability

The ability of cortical neurons to respond to stimuli and generate action potentials.

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience, learning, or injury.

Motor control

The process by which the body coordinates muscle movements to accomplish specific tasks.

Pathophysiology

The study of the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of a disease condition.

Intracranial recordings

Direct measurements of electrical activity from neurons inside the brain.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive method used to stimulate small regions of the brain using magnetic fields.

Neurophysiologist

A specialist in the study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues in the nervous system.

Evoked potentials

Electrical potentials recorded from the nervous system following a stimulus, used to assess the function of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral neuropathy

Damage to the peripheral nerves that can cause weakness, numbness, and pain, often affecting the hands and feet.

Spinal reflex arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, typically involving sensory neurons and motor neurons.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties and activities of biological cells and tissues.

Ion channel

A protein structure that allows ions to pass through the cell membrane, crucial for generating action potentials.

Synaptic cleft

The small gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmission occurs.

Calcium ions (Ca2+)

Essential for neurotransmitter release at the synapse and important for many cellular signaling processes.

Ice pack test

A clinical test used to assess the function of the neuromuscular junction in myasthenia gravis patients.

Brodmann areas

Regions of the cerebral cortex identified by their cytoarchitecture, used to describe areas with different functional roles.

Cerebellum

A part of the brain that helps coordinate voluntary movements and maintain posture.

Henneman's size principle

A principle stating that smaller motor units are recruited first during muscle activity, followed by larger ones.

Reuptake mechanism

The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron after they have completed their function.

Post-activation depression

A temporary decrease in neurotransmission following high-frequency stimulation.

Cutaneous reflexes

Reflexes triggered by stimulation of the skin.

Cortico-cortical connections

Neuronal pathways connecting different areas of the cerebral cortex.

Dendritic spines

Small protrusions on dendrites where synapses are located, involved in synaptic transmission.

Neuropathic pain

Pain caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system.

Fatigue resistance

The ability of muscle fibers to sustain prolonged activity without succumbing to fatigue.

Corticobulbar tract

A pathway that controls the muscles of the face and neck.

Somatosensory cortex

The brain region responsible for processing sensory information from the body.

Alpha motor neuron

The type of motor neuron that directly innervates skeletal muscle fibers and causes muscles to contract.

Layer V pyramidal neurons

Neurons in the cerebral cortex that are known for their long axons and involvement in motor control.

Tendon jerk reflex

A reflex that occurs when a tendon is tapped, involving sensory and motor pathways.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Clinical Neurophysiology

The branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating neurological disorders using neurophysiological techniques.

Electrical status epilepticus

A condition characterized by persistent electrical seizure activity in the brain.

Alpha coma

A state of significantly reduced responsiveness characterized by dominant alpha waves in an EEG.

Myasthenia gravis

An autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle weakness.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

A neuroimaging technique for mapping brain activity by recording the magnetic fields produced by neuronal activity.

Spinal cord injury

Damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility or sensation.

Paediatric neurological assessment

Evaluating the neurological function in children, often using specialized techniques and adjustments for development.

H-reflex

A reflex elicited by stimulating muscle afferents to assess the function of the spinal cord's reflex pathways.

Survival rate of motor units

The proportion of motor units remaining functional in a muscle following injury or disease.

Sensory nerve action potential (SNAP)

The electrical signal recorded from sensory nerves in response to stimulation.

Cerebral palsy

A group of disorders affecting a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture, caused by brain development issues.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

A non-invasive brain stimulation technique that delivers a low electrical current to the brain.

Cochlear implant

A surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.

Cortical reorganization

The brain's ability to change and adapt its functional structure and organizational patterns in response to experience.

Neurotransmitter release

The process by which neurotransmitters are transmitted from presynaptic to postsynaptic neurons across the synaptic cleft.

Neurogenic shock

A medical emergency resulting from the loss of sympathetic tone and vasodilation due to spinal cord injury.

Electromyographic silence

A temporary absence of electrical activity in muscles during voluntary contraction or rest.

Transsynaptic degeneration

The degeneration of neurons that occurs when their target neurons are damaged or destroyed.

Afferent pathways

Nerve pathways that carry sensory information from the peripheral body to the central nervous system.

Efferent pathways

Nerve pathways that transmit motor signals from the central nervous system to peripheral muscles.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that lies outside the CNS, including sensory and motor neurons.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher-order brain functions, including thought and action.

Thalamus

The brain structure that relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A brain region involved in regulating various homeostatic functions, such as hunger and temperature.

Basal ganglia

A group of nuclei in the brain involved in coordinating movement and voluntary motor control.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotional processing and the formation of emotional memories.

Hippocampus

A region of the brain associated with memory formation and spatial navigation.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements through skeletal muscles.

Autonomic nervous system

The branch of the PNS that controls involuntary actions such as heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stress-related activities.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest and digestion.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system that provide protection, nourishment, and support to neurons.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells that provide structural support and maintain blood-brain barrier integrity.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells in the CNS that produce myelin, insulating neuronal axons.

Schwann cells

Glial cells in the PNS responsible for myelinating peripheral nerve fibers.

Microglia

Immune cells of the CNS that act as the first line of defense against pathogens and injury.

Bipolar neurons

Neurons that have two extensions, a dendrite and an axon, often found in sensory pathways.

Unipolar neurons

Neurons that have a single extension that branches into two functional parts, typically sensory neurons.

Multipolar neurons

Neurons that have many extensions (dendrites) allowing for integration of multiple inputs.

Synapse

The junction where communication occurs between two neurons through neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitter receptor

Proteins on the postsynaptic membrane that bind neurotransmitters and induce a response in the neuron.

Ionotropic receptor

Neurotransmitter receptors that are ion channels, allowing ions to flow directly into the neuron.

Metabotropic receptor

Neurotransmitter receptors that activate internal signaling cascades, resulting in slower, more prolonged responses.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to mood regulation, sleep, and appetite.