Rob Davis Definitions Seizure – (Schomer) state of pathologic hypersynchronous behavior of large number of neurons associated with an altered neurologic function text defines it as – an episode of abnormally synchronized and high-frequency firing of neurons that results in abnormal behavior or experience of the individual Epilepsy – a condition in which there is a tendency … Read more
Recovery of Function Theoretical mech of recovery 1st stage recovery: first few weeks/ days after onset of stroke is critical time of regrowth (recovery from acute effects of metabolic & membrane failure, ionic and NT imbalance, hemorrhage, cellular rxn & edema) 2nd stage recovery: mech largely unknown; most likely see compensation with large lesions (see … Read more
Brief Summary when there is significant recovery of function it is associated with a remodeling of the cortical circuitry; when there is no recovery, there is also a lack of cortical change or a dendritic atrophy of the remaining neurons Definition of Plasticity the brain’s capacity for continuously changing it structure, and ultimately its function … Read more
ANATOMICAL AND CLINICAL REVIEW The pituitary and hypothalamus constitute a unique region of the nervous system. In addition to conventional synaptic transmission, both structures utilize soluble humoral factors as a major source of afferent and efferent information. The pituitary and hypothalamus form the link between the neural and endocrine systems The hypothalamus is the central … Read more
Epidemiology and Basic Background 1500 children diagnosed yearly in U.S. 80% occur within first 10 years of life 60% occur in the posterior fossa, the “back vault” of the skull below the tentorium (i.e., cerebellum and brainstem). This is very different from adults, who typically get supratentorial tumors. 5-year survival now 50%, though this varies … Read more
What Parkinson’s is Not: Parkinsonian Look-Alikes With so many people who show Parkinsonian symptoms not being correctly diagnosed as having Parkinson’s, it is also worthwhile noting that a number of people initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s have another disease, a “Parkinson’s look-alike,” instead. Most often these people are still considered to have Parkinsonism by the community, … Read more
Some Common Nutritional Deficiencies Korsakoff’s Disease – related to thiamine deficiency Folic acid/folate deficiency – implicated in a progressive condition of mental deterioration with concomitant cerebral atrophy. It is also implicated in spina bifida/neural tube defects. Vitamin deficiencies – affect anorexic young women (who show subtle neuropsychological deficits), and in the elderly (whose intake of … Read more
Definitions Visual-perceptual Form or pattern discrimination; color, shape, features of object regardless of location Visual-spatial Processing of visual orientation or location in space; depth, motion “Types” of visual-spatial processes Object localization- ability of any sensory system to locate object in space Line orientation- human cortex has detectors of line orientation; damage to right posterior disrupts … Read more
Dopamine Synthesis and Metabolism Phenylalanine —> Tyrosine —> DOPA —> Dopamine (DA) Anatomy Synthesized mainly in neurons located in the ventral midbrain (substantia nigra pars compacta & ventral tegmental area) Three projection systems: Nigrostriatal Pathway: Substantia nigra to caudate and putamen (implicated in Parkinson’s) Mesolimbic Pathway: Midbrain to limbic structures (implicated in positive symptoms of … Read more
Mental Status Level of Alertness, Attention, and Cooperation: Can use test of working memory and attention (e.g., digit span; w-o-r-l-d/d-l-r-o-w) What is being tested? Altered consciousness can stem from: Damage to brainstem reticular formation Bilateral lesions of the thalami or cerebral hemispheres Can be mildly impaired in unilateral cortical or thalamic lesions Toxic or metabolic … Read more