Neuro Disorders

Parkinson’s Disease

Loss of dopamine producing neurons in the basal ganglia, leaving Ach unopposed

Cellular Pathology:

• lewy bodies —> neuronal damage —> further dopamine loss

Multiple Sclerosis

Demyelination of neurons of the CNS

• lesions on brain and spinal cord

Symptoms of MS

• numbness/ tingling in extremeties

• optic neuritis

• heat sensitivity

• Urinary frequency and retention

*increased risk of chronic UTIs

Alzheimer’s Disease

memory loss due to amyloid plaques and tau tangles

Myasthenia Gravis

autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack ACh receptors and the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness

• Respiratory muscle involvement = myasthenic crisis

Symptoms of MG

• 1st sign: ptosis (one eyelid droops)

• diplopia

• difficulty swallowing, speaking and breathing

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

degeneration of upper + lower motor neurons

*motor only disease!!! sensation remains intact

Guilian-Barre Syndrome

acute autoimmune response where immune system attacks peripheral nerves myelin, causing ascending weakness

• often after infection

• revirsible

GBS symptoms

• ascending weakness (legs —> upward)

• areflexia (lose reflexes)

• paresthesia

Huntington’s Disease

Genetic progressive neurodegeneration

• HTT gene

HD symptoms

• chorea (involuntary movement)

• cognitive decline

• psychiatric symptoms