NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES NOTES

CEREBRAL PALSY: WHAT IS IT? Muscle spasms/tightness Involuntary movements Problems with balance Awkward gait Can be minor (clumsiness) to severe (unable to move) Often have learning disabilities

CEREBRAL PALSY: CAUSES Damage to the motor control centers of the brain (primary motor cortex, cerebellum), during pregnancy, birth, or up to age two. Linked to premature births and structural issues with white matter of motor cortex

CEREBRAL PALSY: TREATMENTS None for cause. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthopedics (braces, wheelchairs) for symptoms

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: WHAT IS IT? Muscle weakness, spasms, or paralysis Problems with speech or swallowing Fatigue, chronic pain, nausea and vomiting. May be episodic (occur at random times) or progressive (get worse with time)

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: CAUSES Autoimmune disorder with lesion formation. Antibodies attack and destroy the Schwann cells (myelin sheath) around the axons of the brain and spine making it very difficult for nerve impulses to move quickly

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: TREATMENT Immune suppressing drugs Corticosteroids to treat symptoms None for long term.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE: WHAT IS IT? Tremors (especially in hands) Rigidity of joints, slowness of movement As it progresses, loss of the ability to walk (stay balanced) and move Dementia

PARKINSON’S DISEASE: CAUSES Certain genetic mutations increase the risk of Parkinson’s Destruction of dopamine-secreting neurons (basal ganglia) in the major pathways of the brain and formation of “Lewy bodies” or protein aggregates that atrophy affected neurons

PARKINSON’S DISEASE: TREATMENTS L-DOPA: Drug that is converted into dopamine in the brain reduces symptoms and slows progression of disease Dopamine agonists Less effective over time

EPILEPSY: WHAT IS IT? Chronic seizures Sometimes has a trigger (stress, flashing lights, heart problems)

EPILEPSY: CAUSES Varied (tumor, stroke, trauma) Some caused by a genetic disorder that makes the Na+ channels in neurons to stay open too long, causing successive impulses down the neuron (easier to reach threshold potential)

EPILEPSY: TREATMENTS Anticonvulsant medications Surgery in extreme cases (cutting corpus callosum) or in case of tumors If someone is having a seizure: Move sharp objects away from patient Lay patient on side Lay pillow under head if possible. Call ambulance if seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if patient injures self while seizing.

ENCEPHALITIS: WHAT IS IT? Headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue More advanced and serious symptoms include seizures/convulsions, tremors, hallucinations, and memory problems

ENCEPHALITIS: CAUSES A viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the brain.

ENCEPHALITIS: TREATMENTS Bed rest, fluids, and anti-inflammatory drugs/steroids to reduce swelling Limited success with antiviral and antibacterial drugs. Diagnose with CT scan/MRI

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE: WHAT IS IT? Usual onset at years old with progressive deterioration of nerves in brain Physical motions become jerky at start and then more and more uncontrolled as time progresses  chorea Cognitive function begins to deteriorate as well as memory, emotional control etc.

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE: CAUSES Genetic disorder caused by a dominant insertion mutation (CAG repeat) of HTT gene on chromosome 4 that leads to the production of a protein that damages the brain.

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE: TREATMENTS No known cure. Most drugs are experimental and deal with symptoms (diazepam for jerky movements, antipsychotics for depression) and slowing down progression of disease.

MENINGITIS: WHAT IS IT? Headache, neck stiffness, fever, confusion, vomiting, inability to tolerate light and loud noises.

MENINGITIS: CAUSES A bacterial or viral infection of the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord (meninges: dura mater)

MENINGITIS: TREATMENTS Diagnosis: Lumbar Puncture to get sample of cerebrospinal fluid Corticosteroids to treat inflammation Life threatening if bacterial  Antibiotics Viral can be treated by dealing with symptoms (anti-inflammatory drugs, bed rest) and resolves itself in a few weeks

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: WHAT IS IT? Dementia that starts as an inability to acquire new memories and to recall facts. Loss of long term memory, confusion, and mood swings common in later stages Eventually lose control of bodily functions and death

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: CAUSES Plaques form in the brain leading to neural degeneration and atrophy of the affected area. Misfolded amyloid protein causes the plaques to form

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: TREATMENTS None. Diet, exercise and mental stimulation may reduce/delay progression of symptoms. Antipsychotics to treat mood swings/aggression Reduction in acetylcholine and glutamate receptor activity marginally effective

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS): WHAT IS IT? Characterized by stiff muscles, muscle twitching, and gradually worsening weakness due to muscle wasting. Results in difficulty speaking, swallowing, movement, and eventually breathing. Death usually occurs 3-5 years post-onset.

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS): CAUSES Genetic causes in some patients Atrophy of the primary motor cortex neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary skeletal muscles Inability of motor neurons to degrade build-up of protein-rich inclusions, particularly including ubiquitin

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS): TREATMENTS No known cure. Riluzole can prolong survival rate by 2-3 months by decreasing glutamate neurotransmission and sodium channel activity