Neurological Disorders and Treatments

Flashcards on key concepts related to neurological disorders, brain injuries, and their treatments.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A form of brain damage resulting from external force, often classified by severity and measured using the Glasgow Coma Scale.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A scale used to assess the level of consciousness in a person; scores range from 3 (deeply unconscious) to 15 (fully conscious).

Concussion

A mild traumatic brain injury that affects brain function, often resulting in temporary symptoms such as headache and confusion.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

A type of brain injury characterized by widespread damage to the brain's axons, often resulting from rapid acceleration or deceleration.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue, often due to hypertension or trauma.

Epidural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the outer protective covering of the brain and the skull, often resulting from head trauma.

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the dura mater and the brain, can be acute or chronic.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Also known as a stroke, a sudden loss of neurological function due to impaired blood flow to the brain.

Ischemic Stroke

A type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, typically by a clot.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A type of stroke caused by bleeding into or around the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and specific pathological changes in the brain.

Parkinson's Disease

A progressive neurological disorder affecting movement, characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder leading to weakness in the skeletal muscles and affecting voluntary movement.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

A rare disorder where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.

Seizure

A sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can affect how a person feels or behaves.

Opioid Analgesics

Medications used to relieve pain by acting on the nervous system, can be addictive and have multiple side effects.

Dysfunction of the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Any abnormality or impairment of the brain or spinal cord function, affecting cognitive and motor functions.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury

A type of brain injury occurring on both sides of the brain due to a blow to the head.

Post-Concussive Syndrome

A complex disorder characterized by various symptoms following a concussion, such as headaches and cognitive difficulties.

Brain Tumor

An abnormal growth of cells within the brain, can be benign or malignant and may cause various neurological symptoms.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function, mobility, or feeling.

Hyperreflexia

Exaggerated reflex response that occurs after spinal shock, often associated with spinal cord injury.

Cerebral Infarction

Tissue death in the brain due to lack of blood supply, often leading to permanent neurological deficits.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between neurons, such as dopamine and acetylcholine, critical for brain function.