Wk 9 Chronic & Degenerative Neuro

Page 1: Overview of Neurological Disorders and Pain

• Topics Covered:

  • Cerebrovascular Disorders

  • Chronic & Degenerative Neurological Disorders

  • Brain & Spinal Cord Injury

  • Pain

Page 2: Chronic & Degenerative Neurological Disorders

• Types of Disorders:

  • Seizures & Epilepsy

  • Degenerative Neurological Disorders:

    • Parkinson's Disease

    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

    • Guillain-Barré Syndrome

    • Myasthenia Gravis

    • Dementias

    • Alzheimer's Disease

Page 3: Seizures

• Definition:

  • A sudden, abnormal discharge of neurons resulting in transient alterations in brain function.

• Types of Seizures:

  • Focal Onset: Occurs in one area of the brain.

  • Generalized Onset: Involves the entire brain.

  • Tonic/Clonic Seizures: Characterized by muscle stiffness followed by rhythmic jerking.

  • Absence Seizures: Brief periods of impaired consciousness.

Page 4: Common Etiologies of Seizure and Epilepsy

• Brain Neoplasms

• Cerebrovascular Disease

• Congenital Malformations

• Degenerative Brain Disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's)

• Environmental Stimuli:

  • Blinking lights, loud noises, certain music, and odors.

• Genetic Predisposition

• Head Trauma

• Infections

• Metabolic Disturbances:

  • Hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, respiratory alkalosis.

• Perinatal Injury (Hypoxia)

• Substance Abuse

• Withdrawal Symptoms:

  • From alcohol/sedative-hypnotic drugs.

Page 5: Additional Information on Seizures and Epilepsy

• Symptoms:

  • Sleepiness, cognitive decline, emotional distress, etc.

• Complications:

  • Hospitalization, increased fatigue, psychomotor performance issues.

• Influences on Disease Presentation:

  • Stress, anxiety, and trauma can exacerbate conditions.

• Treatment Options:

  • Medications, therapy, management of triggers.

Page 6: Important Terms Related to Seizures

• Aura: A perceptual disturbance before a seizure.

• Ictal: The state during a seizure.

• Post-ictal: The state following a seizure.

Page 7: Parkinson’s Disease

• Pathophysiology:

  • Imbalance between Acetylcholine (stimulates) & Dopamine (inhibits).

• Key Finding:

  • Decreased dopamine levels lead to motor symptoms.

Page 8: Symptoms and Appearance in Parkinson's Disease

• Characteristics:

  • Gradual onset usually after age 50.

  • Stooped posture, masked facial expression.

  • Bradykinesia (slow movement), reduced arm swing.

  • Rigidity and tremors (pill-rolling motion).

• Mental Symptoms:

  • Depression and potential cognitive decline.

Page 9: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Also Known As:

  • Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

• Mechanism:

  • Sclerosis and death of upper & lower motor neurons.

• Symptoms:

  • Muscle weakness and atrophy leading to respiratory failure.

Page 10: Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Definition:

  • A degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system.

• Mechanism:

  • Attack on myelin by the immune system, leading to scarring (sclerosis).

• Impact:

  • Slowed or blocked nerve signals.

Page 11: Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

• Central Symptoms:

  • fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression.

• Visual Symptoms:

  • Nystagmus, optic neuritis, diplopia.

• Speech Difficulties:

  • Dysarthria and dysphagia.

• Musculoskeletal Issues:

  • Weakness, spasms, ataxia.

• Sensory Abnormalities:

  • Pain, hypoesthesia, paresthesia.

Page 12: Guillain-Barré Syndrome

• Characteristics:

  • Demyelination of nerve axons post-infection.

• Symptom Pattern:

  • Weakness starts in the periphery and progresses upwards (ascending paralysis).

• Complications:

  • May affect respiratory function, requiring mechanical ventilation.

Page 13: Myasthenia Gravis

• Nerve Interaction:

  • Affects the neuromuscular junction, blocking acetylcholine receptor sites.

• Symptoms:

  • Muscle weakness in voluntary muscles.

• Nature:

  • Autoimmune disease with no known cure but ongoing research and support.

Page 14: Overview of Myasthenia Gravis

• Key Features:

  • Impacts muscle control for breathing, seeing, and swallowing.

  • Awareness and education essential for management and support.

Page 15: Overview of Dementia

• Focus Areas:

  • Discussion of various types and causes of dementia.

Page 16: Brain Changes in Alzheimer's Disease

• Visual Differences:

  • Healthy brains vs. shrunken brains in severe Alzheimer's.

  • Key features include tau tangles and amyloid plaques.

Page 17: Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

• Cognitive Decline:

  • Memory loss, disorientation, difficulty with abstract thinking.

• Behavioral Changes:

  • Changes in personality, judgment, and task execution.

Page 18: Historical Context of Alzheimer's Disease

• Historical Figure:

  • Auguste Deter, under Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s care, was a key case in identifying this condition.

• Significance:

  • Study of her brain post-mortem led to our understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease.