Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Syndromes
60%) due to AD. LBD accounts for 15–20% of all dementia cases with the remainder due to vascular dementia (VaD), FTD, CJD and others. Aetiology Genetic: Genetic factors play a…
Central Nervous System Infections: Cerebral Abscess
Remember: Haematogenous spread is the commonest cause of brain abscess. Pathology/Pathogenesis Streptococcus is the commonest organism. Multiple organisms are cultured in up to 30% of cases and usually include anaerobic,…
Multiple Sclerosis
Remember: A single episode of demyelination should not lead to a diagnosis of MS as implied by the above definition. Epidemiology Affects approximately 1 in 1000 people in the United…
Parkinson’s Disease and Other Related Syndromes
Remember: The increased risk of developing PD in non-smokers and low caffeine drinkers is not understood. Although the explanation could be that nicotine is neuroprotective, an alternative explanation is that…
Peripheral Neuropathies’ Syndromes
Remember: Alcohol overuse is one of the commonest causes of a symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy. Examination In addition to a full neurological examination with particular attention to absent reflexes, the following…
Neurological Investigations
Neurophysiology Electroencephalogram (EEG) Used for recording the electrical activity of the brain via electrodes attached to the scalp. Principal use of EEG is in the diagnosis and management of different…
Basic Neuroanatomy
Cortical Anatomy Figure 2.1 demonstrates the following relevant key areas on the cortical surface: Figure 2.1 Lateral surface of cerebral hemisphere demonstrating cortical surface anatomy. Remember: The association between dominant…
Central Nervous System Infections: Meningitis
Remember: LP must be preceded by a CT (or MRI) if there is any evidence of impairment of consciousness, focal neurological deficits or a prior seizure due to the risk…
Other Movement Disorders
Remember: It is important to rule out treatable causes of hyperkinetic movement disorders like Wilson’s disease and dopa-responsive dystonia, which although rare are amenable to treatment. The age at the…
Neurological History, Examination, Signs and Localisation
‘Where’ It is often the case that the neurologist or neurosurgeon, when confronted with a patient, will first ask themselves, where is the lesion?, meaning where is the predominant focus…
