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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
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