What is the manifestation Alzheimer’s Disease?
Involves amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. There is a significant deficit of acetylcholine and visible cerebral atrophy .
What are the manifestations of an Uncal Herniation?
Characterized by a unilateral fixed and dilated pupil, rapidly decreasing level of consciousness, and hemiparesis (p. 1).
Upper vs. Lower Motor Neuron Lesions
Upper motor neuron lesions (CNS) cause spasticity after initial paralysis. Lower motor neuron lesions (PNS) cause flaccidity and muscle atrophy (p. 1).
What is the Pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease?
Caused by the degeneration of the substantia nigra, leading to a critical deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine (p. 1).
What is Tardive Dyskinesia? Clinical manifestations?
Involuntary, repetitive body movements (grimacing, blinking). Often observed in patients on long-term antipsychotic medications.
Primary vs. Secondary Brain Injury (TBI)
Primary: Immediate damage from the impact (e.g., contusion). Secondary: Delayed damage from systemic or local processes like edema, ischemia, or increased ICP (p. 2).
Ventilation Importance in TBI
High Carbon Dioxide (
) causes potent cerebral vasodilation, which increases intracranial pressure. Ventilation keeps
low to prevent this (p. 2).
Autonomic Dysreflexia: Level & Triggers
Occurs in spinal cord injuries at T6 or above. It is a life-threatening hypertensive response usually triggered by bladder distension or bowel impaction (p. 2).
Innervation of the Diaphragm
Occurs from the C3, C4, and C5 cervical cord segments (the phrenic nerve) (p. 2).
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) vs. Guillain-Barré (GBS)
MS: Autoimmune demyelination of the CNS. GBS: Autoimmune attack on the PNS, often causing ascending paralysis (p. 2).
Myasthenia Gravis: Pathophysiology
An autoimmune disease where antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness (p. 2).
Bacterial Meningitis: Effects on BBB
The infection causes inflammation that increases the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), allowing toxins and bacteria to enter the CNS (p. 2).
