Chapter 9 Nervous System Disease and Conditions

Seizure

Abnormal, uncontrolled discharge of electrical activity in the brain, which is commonly a symptom of underlying brain pathology; also called convulsion

Antipsychotics

Alter neurotransmitters in the brain alleviate symptoms of psychosis, paranoia, and schizophrenia.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Bilateral, symmetrical, nonprogressive motor dysfunction and partial paralysis, which is usually caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth drama but can also be hereditary.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis

CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture is elavated macroscopically for clarity and color, microscopically for cells, and chemically for proteins.

Alzheimers Disease

Chronic, organic mental disorder that is a progressive form of presenile dementia caused by atrophy of the frontal and occipital lobes of the brain. Usually between ages 40-60. Characteristics are memory loss, deterioration of intellectual functions, apathy, loss of speech, and disorientation.

Spina bifida

Congenital neural tube defect characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and meanings may or may not protrude. Occurs in the lumbosacral area.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Degenerative disorder in which the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem leads to muscle weakness and paralysis; called Lou Gehrig disease. Cause and cure are unknown. Symptoms include, weakness, atrophy of muscles in hands, forearms, and legs; difficulty in swallowing and talking; dyspnea in the throat and respiratory muscles.

Electoencephalography

Diagnostic procedure in which electrodes on the scalp record patterns of electrical activity within the brain. Helps determine if a person is in a coma or brain dead.

Poliomyelitis

Disease in which the grey matter of the spinal cord is destroyed by a slow-acting virus, eventually leading to paralysis and musical atrophy.

Shingles

Eruption of acute, inflammatory, herpetic vesicles on the trunk of the body along a peripheral nerve

Trephination

Excision of a circular disk of bone using a specialized saw called a trephine to reveal brain tissue during neurosurgery or to relieve intracranial pressure.

Bell Palsy

Facial paralysis on one side of the face because of inflammation of a facial nerve. most likely caused by viral infection. Results in grotesque facial disfigurement and facial spasms. Conditions only last about and month and resolves itself. Treatments of corticosteroid can be used to decrease swelling.

Huntington Chorea

Hereditary nervous disorder caused by the progressive loss of brain cells, leading to bizarre, involuntary, dancelike movements.

Lumbar puncture

Insertion of a needle into the subarachnoid space of the spinal column at the level of the fourth intervertebral space to withdraw cerebral fluid (CSF) in order to perform various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: spinal tap or spinal puncture.

Paralysis

Loss of voluntary motion due to an inability to contract one or more muscles.

Neuroblastoma

Malignant tumor composed principally of cells resembling neuroblasts. Most common in infants and children.

Spina bifida cystica

More severe type of spina bifida that involves protrusion of meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele), or both (meningomyelocele).

Spina bifida occulta

Most common and least severe without protrusion of spinal cord or meninges.

Epilepsy

Neuroligical disorder in which the nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing a seizure, including loss of consciousness. Many causes, illness, brain injury, abnormal brain development. Seizure symptoms may vary per patient.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four extremities and usually the trunk. Results in loss of motor and sensory function. Paralysis includes the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs with partial or total paralysis in the upper extremities.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower portion of the body and both legs. Can include loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual control.

Thalamotomy

Partial destruction of the thalamus to treat psychosis, intractable pain, or involuntary movements, including tremors in Parkinson disease

Palsy

Partial or complete loss of motor function.

Multiple Sclerosis

Progressive degenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, hardening, and loss of myelin, throughout the spinal cord and brain, which produces weakness and other muscle symptoms.

Parkinson Disease

Progressive, degenerative neurological disorder affecting the portion of the brain responsible for controlling movement. Examples include hand tremors and interfere with voluntary movements.

Sciatica

Severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the hip to the foot

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Short episodes of neurological dysfunction due to temporary interference with blood supply to the brain, lasting a few minutes to a few hours; ministroke.

Craniotomy

Sugical procedure that creates an opening in the skull to gain access to the brain during neurosurgical procedures. Performed to relieve intracranial pressure, control bleeding, or remove a tumor.