Central Nervous System Degenerative Disorders Delirium/Dementia I. Definitions Confusional state—characterized by inability to think with proper speed, clarity, and coherence and associated with disorientation, decreased attention and concentration, impaired immediate…
Neurophysiology Electroencephalography I. Origin of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) Sum of excitatory postsynaptic potentials and inhibitory postsynaptic potential EEG rhythm depends on thalamic pacemaker cells and the reticular activating formation. One…
Neuromuscular Diseases General Approach to Peripheral Neuropathies I. Evaluation and Classification Thorough history Nature of chief complaint: weakness versus sensory disturbance versus pain versus autonomic disturbance versus atrophy versus ataxia…
Neuro-Oncology Central Nervous System Tumors and Neuropathology I. Introduction Location of CNS Tumors Intracranial Supratentorial Infratentorial Intraspinal Extradural (e.g., epidural metastases, bone tumors) Intradural Intramedullary (e.g., ependymomas, astrocytomas, glioblastomas) Extramedullary…
Cerebrovascular Diseases Transient Ischemic Attack I. Epidemiology Risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA) 4% to 8% in first month 12% in first year 24% to 29% in first…
Demyelinating Diseases Multiple Sclerosis I. Epidemiology Onset: women aged 20 to 35 years; men aged 35 to 45 years Female:male ratio is 2:1. Age of onset of symptoms <20 years…
Metabolic Disorders Glycogen Storage Diseases I. Acid Maltase Deficiency (also known as Pompe disease) Infantile Onset—weeks Clinical features Floppy baby, generalized and bulbar weakness Macroglossia Cardiomegaly Hepatomegaly Death by age…
Pharmacology Neurotransmitters and Receptors I. Acetylcholine Synthesis: occurs in the nerve terminal This is the rate-limiting step in production of acetylcholine (ACh). The supply of choline is the rate-limiting factor…
Central Nervous System Infections I. Bacterial Meningitis Cause varies by age and immune status. Cause of Meningitis by Age Neonate (<1 mo) Child (1 mo-15 yr) Adult (15-60 yr) Older…
