Neupsy Key

Ménière Syndrome Attacks of vertigo lasting hours to days. Hearing loss, tinnitus occur within attacks early in course; permanent later. Sense of fullness in affected ear often accompanies attacks. Prevalence…

Transient Global Amnesia Sudden inability to form new memory traces (anterograde amnesia) plus retrograde memory loss for preceding days or weeks. Accompanied by bewilderment, anxiety, repeated questions (e.g., “Where am…

Febrile Seizures Generalized seizures with febrile illness (not meningitis or encephalitis). Even if recurrent, do not warrant designation of epilepsy. Usually occur between ages 3 months and 5 years. About…

Epilepsy Definitions Epileptic seizure: temporary dysfunction of brain caused by self-limited, abnormal hypersynchronous electrical discharge of cortical neurons (see also Chapter 3). Epilepsy: group of chronic disorders characterized by recurrence…

Migraine and Other Headaches Migraine Benign recurring headache, neurologic dysfunction, or both, with pain-free interludes. Provoked by stereotyped stimuli (specific foods, relief of stress, exercise). Far more common in women….

Familial Dysautonomia Inherited disorder of autonomic and peripheral nervous systems plus somatic growth. Genetics: autosomal recessive, almost exclusively in Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish people. One of two possible mutations in…

Acute Autonomic Neuropathy Generalized autonomic dysfunction of unknown etiology. Also known as acute pandysautonomia. May be subacute. Often preceded by acute illness of presumed viral origin as in Guillain-Barré syndrome….

Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension and Autonomic Failure Orthostatic hypotension (OH): fall of 20 mmHg in systolic blood pressure or 10 mmHg diastolic within 3 minutes after changing position from supine to…

Central Pontine Myelinolysis Symmetric destruction of myelin in basis pontis, precipitated by rapid correction of hyponatremia. Often with chronic alcoholism, malnutrition. Signs and symptoms 2 to 3 days after rapid…

Marchiafava-Bignami Disease Demyelination of corpus callosum without inflammation; other CNS areas may be involved. Etiology and Pathogenesis Primary degeneration of corpus callosum; may extend to anterior commissure, posterior commissure, centrum…