Neuropsychology of Diseases, Illnesses, and Medical Disorders

Different types of infections that can affect the brain

viral, bacterial, fungal, and prion

What does encephalitis indicate?

A pathogen that enters the brain

What does meningitus indicate?

A pathogen that enters the meninges

How do viruses work?

Viruses hijack DNA, alter transcription of RNA, and replicate itself through the proteins (DNA —> RNA —> Proteins)

How does herpes simplex virus 1 (HsV1) affect a person?

Non-sex-related, has a high rate of encephalitis (90%)

How does herpes simplex virus 2 (HsV2) affect a person?

Genital herpes, has a low rate of encephalitis

How does herpes simplex virus 3 (HsV3) affect a person?

Chickenpox, can cause a rare form of herpes encephalitis

How does herpes simplex virus 4 (HsV4) affect a person?

Epstein-Barr virus

How does herpes simplex virus 5 (HsV5) affect a person?

Cytomegalovirus

How does herpes simplex virus 6 (HsV6) affect a person?

Does not affect humans

Rate and fatality rate of herpes related encephalitis

1 in 2 million, 70% fatal

What happens to the brain with herpes related encephalitis?

necrosis, herniation and bleeding, affects the frontal and temporal lobe

How are the majority of people exposed to cytomegalovirus?

In utero

What is a possible outcome of a fetus acquiring cytomegalovirus?

ID, seizure disorder, microcephaly, hydrocephaly

How does HIV work?

Attacks RNA first, then replicates with proteins, then retroactively attacks DNA (RNA —> Proteins —> DNA) (it is a retrovirus)

What areas of the brain can be affected by HIV?

Basal ganglia, cerebral cortex, and white matter of the brain

What are common experiences of people who have untreated HIV?

Depression, personality change, lethargy, motor deficits, slowness, ataxia (gait problems) and cognitive issues with HIV

What is a prion disease?

Small protein particles that rapidly destroy the brain

Prion disease life span

6 months to 2 years

What is Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease?

A prion disease that came from infected cows (also known as mad cow disease)

What does metastatic cancer indicate?

When cancer cells spread to other parts of the body

What is the most prevalent area of the body where metastatic brain cancer originates?

Breast tissue (breast cancer is the highest cause of metastatic brain cancer)

How are tumors graded?

Density and rate of growth (higher the rate of growth, higher the number, bigger number is more lethal)

Most common brain cell type to become a tumor

Glial (becomes a glioma)

What is a “mass effect” of the brain?

When a mass builds in the brain with nowhere to go; this forces the brain to be pushed against the skull

Symptoms of brain tumors

Headaches, confusion, sensory deficits, changes of behavior

What is a primary brain tumor?

A tumor that originated in the brain

What is a secondary brain tumor?

A tumor that traveled to the brain form a differnet area of the body

What is a seizure?

A transient disturbance that happens in the brain

What is epilepsy?

A disorder characterized by recurring seizures

What is the most common neurological condition in the world?

A seizure disorder

Interventions for seizures

Medication (Topamax) and neurosurgery (lesioning the affected area)

What are focal seizures?

Seizures that start in one area and then spread to other areas

What are complex partial seizures?

Most common form of epilepsy

Where do complex partial seizures originate?

The temporal lobe

What are the 3 common symptoms of complex partial seizures?

feelings of deja vu, lip smacking, and frozen posture

What is a grand mal seizure?

A type of seizure that involves a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions

What are the 3 phases of grand mal seizures?

Tonic, clonic, and postictal

What happens during the tonic phase of grand mal seizures?

The body gets rigid

What happens during the clonic phase of grand mal seizures?

Repetitive motor movements

What happens during the postictal phase of grand mal seizures?

Person appeared depressed/confused

What is a petit mal seizure?

A seizure that involves brief, sudden lapses in attention

What is a status epilepticus seizure?

A serious seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes and is considered a medical emergency

What type of imaging identifies seizures and seizure disorder?

EEG

What is multiple sclerosis?

The demyelination of the nerves of the central nervous system which reduces the efficacy of transmission across neurons

Who has a higher rate of multiple sclerosis?

Women

What is relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?

A type of MS that had bouts of de-myelination and recovery

What is progressive multiple sclerosis?

A type of MS where de-myelination happens rapidly and does not get better

How are individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?

Having two or more lesions in the brain that can be viewed through an MRI

What is the only medication that positively affects cognitive functioning? (Medication for MS)

Copaxone

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Sensory motor deficits, possible double vision, alterations in mood, parasthesia