Neurology and Brain Disorders Lecture Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering delirium, dementia, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, aphasia, increased cranial pressure, strokes, and seizures as described in the lecture notes.

Delirium

A sudden change in how the brain works where the brain cells cannot communicate correctly due to stressors like Inf sepsis, alcohol withdrawl, or electrolyte imbalances, but the brain itself is not permanently damaged.

Dementia

A condition where brain cells are slowly dying and do not grow back, leading to memory disappearance as neurons die little by little over years.

Alzheimer's disease

The most common form of dementia caused by Beta amyloid plaques building up outside brain cells and Tau Tangles building up inside the neuron.

Hippocampus

The part of the brain that Alzheimer's attacks first; it is responsible for saving new information, and its damage prevents the formation of new memories.

Parkinson's disease

A movement disorder caused by the death of cells in the substantia nigra, leading to a lack of dopamine.

Substantia nigra

The part of the brain that produces dopamine, which acts like oil to help body movements stay smooth.

Dopamine

A chemical that helps movement stay smooth; without enough of it, the body becomes stiff and the brain loses control of movement.

Bradykinesia

A symptom characterized by slow movement, including slow walking and blinking.

Postural instability

A condition of poor balance that creates a fall risk.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A condition where the immune system attacks the myelin, causing nerve signals to travel slowly or stop completely.

Myelin

The insulation on nerve extensions that keeps electricity moving quickly, similar to plastic insulation on a wire.

Aphasia

A language problem caused by brain dysfunction where the mouth and muscles work, but the brain cannot process language correctly.

Broca Aphasia

Also known as broken speech; the patient knows what they want to say but struggles to get the words out.

Wernicke Aphasia

A type of aphasia often called word salad where the patient speaks normally but the words do not make sense.

Increased cranial pressure (ICP)

A condition where the brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid ($CSF$) build up pressure, squeezing brain cells and blood vessels, leading to a lack of $O_2$.

Cushing triad

A late warning sign that the brain is under severe pressure and at risk for herniation, characterized by specific changes in $BP$, pulse, and breathing.

Ischemic stroke

A stroke caused by a blood clot blocking an artery, preventing oxygen from reaching the brain, similar to a clogged pipe.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A stroke caused by a burst blood vessel that leaks blood into the brain, damaging tissue and increasing pressure inside the skull.

Focal seizure

A seizure where only one part of the brain is involved, such as the hand movement area or the visual area.

Postictal Phase

The period of confusion that follows a Focal Impaired Awareness seizure.

Absence seizure

A seizure where the whole brain briefly pauses for $5$-$20$ seconds, identified on an $EEG$ by a $3\,H2$ spike wave.

FAST

An acronym for stroke symptoms: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to indicate that the sooner blood flow is restored, the more brain tissue can be saved.