Neurological System

During which stage of fetal development does the neural tube form?

week 2-4

what is the most common cause of neural tube defects?

low folic acid intake

what is the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central nervous system?

protects brain and spinal cord by cushioning them

what characterize meningocele?

saclike cyst filled with spinal fluid

how is myelomeningocele characterized?

saclike cyst with the spinal cord and nerve root

what are the clinical manifestations of neural tube defects?

loss of bowel control, club foot, scoliosis, lower extremity paralysis 

What is cerebral palsy?

non progressive brain pathology caused by fixed lesion

what are the risk factors of cerebral palsy?

cerebral hypoxia before or during childbirth

what are clinical manifestations of cerebral palsy?

rigid movement, poor coordination, seizure, bladder dysfunction

What is the pathophysiology of Phenylketonuria (PKU)?

PAH gene mutation prevents phenylalanine from converting into tyrosine, leading to toxic phenylalanine buildup and neurological damage.

what is the function of tyrosine?

synthesizes protein, melanin and catecholamines

what are manifestations of PKU?

decreased tryptophan, melanin and serotonin

what are the risk factors for seizures?

genetic predisposition, tumor, fever, low blood sugar, sensory stimuli

what is focal seizure?

seizure originating in one area of the brain 

where does a generalized seizure originate?

both sides of the brain

what is a febrile seizure?

occurs in children with temperatures over 100.4 without any metabolic reaction 

what is status epilepticus?

continuous seizure activity lasting over 30 minutes

what happens during the prodrome stage of a seizure?

early manifestation that occurs before seizure onset

what occurs in the Aura stage of a seizure?

partial seizure experience as a sensation

what happens during the tonic phase of seizure?

muscle contraction with excessive tone

what happens during the clonic phase of a seizure?

alternating muscle contraction and relaxation

what is the postictal phase of a seizure?

the time period immediately after the seizure

what are the clinical manifestations of bacterial meningitis?

fever, nuchal rigidity, headache

What is the most common bacteria causing meningitis in children over 4 years old?

streptococcus pneumoniae

what are the complications of meningitis?

delirium, increased ICP, seizure

Who is at risk for bacterial meningitis?

children, college students, immunocompromised individuals

what is the difference between meningitis and encephalitis?

encephalitis is inflammation of the brain while meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord

What are the risk factors of encephalitis?

west Nile virus, viral illness

what is the pathophysiology of encephalitis?

encephalitides causes nerve cell degeneration

what are the clinical manifestations of encephalitis?

headache, nausea, fever, seizure

what is the risk factor of CTE?

repeated brain trauma 

what is the pathophysiology of CTE?

abnormal buildup of tau causes tau kinase to clump and misfold causing nerve cell death 

what are the symptoms of CTE?

impaired judgement, aggression, confusion, memory loss