Transcript Nervous System Diseases

Do Now 2/9/15
1. Describe possible causes for forgetting a
memory.
2. Compare and contrast semantic and episodic
memories.
Nervous System Diseases
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Description
• Characterized by tight muscles, muscle
spasms, involuntary movements, problems
with balance, and uncoordinated walking
• Can be minor (clumsiness) to severe (inability
to move)
• Motor issues may be accompanied by learning
disabilities
Cerebral Palsy Causes
• Damage to the motor control centers of the
brain during pregnancy, birth, or up to age
two
Cerebral Palsy Treatment
• No cure
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech
therapy, wheelchairs can be used to help
improve symptoms
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Description
• Characterized by muscle weakness, spasms, or
paralysis
• Problems with speech or swallowing
• Fatigue, chronic pain, nausea, vomiting
• Can be episodic (occur at random times) or
progressive (gets worse with time)
• Lesions can be seen on the brain and spinal
cord
Multiple Sclerosis Causes
• Autoimmune disorder
• Antibodies attack and destroy the Schwann
cells & myelin around the axons of the brain
and spine making it very difficult for nerve
impulses to move quickly
– More energy is needed to restore resting
membrane potential
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
• No cure
• Inflammation of CNS can be treated with highdose steroids
• Symptoms can be managed with medication
and rehabilitation (physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.)
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease Description
• Tremors (especially hands)
• Rigidity of joints, slowness of movement
• As it progresses, loss of the ability to walk
(stay balanced) and move
Parkinson’s Disease Causes
• Destruction of dopamine-secreting cells in the
major pathways of the brain
Parkinson’s Disease Treatments
• No cure
• Medications that can increase dopamine
production to reduce symptoms and slow
progress
Epilepsy
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV40H_gNJo
Epilepsy Description
• Chronic seizures
• Sometimes has a trigger
– Stress, flashing lights, strenuous physical activity
Epilepsy Causes
Variety of causes
• Genetic disorder causing Na+ channels in
neurons to stay open too long
– Causes repeated impulses down the neuron
• Brain tumors
Epilepsy Treatment
• Anticonvulsant medications
• Surgery in extreme cases
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s Disease
• http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1j0j5_hu
ntingtons-disease_news
Huntington’s Disease Description
• Usual onset around the ages 35-40
• Physical motions become jerky at onset then
more uncontrolled as time progresses
• Cognitive function and memory deteriorate
Huntington’s Disease Causes
• Genetic disorder that leads to the production
of a protein that damages areas of the brain
Huntington’s Disease Treatment
• Drugs to help manage jerky motion
Meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis Description
• Characterized by headache, neck stiffness,
fever, confusion or altered mental state
• Inability to tolerate light and loud noises
• Life threatening!
Meningitis Causes
• A bacterial or viral infection of the protective
lining of the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
Meningitis Treatment
• If bacterial, antibiotics
• Viral can be treated by dealing with symptoms
because antivirals are often not that effective
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease Description
• Starts as an inability to acquire new memories
and inability to recall facts
• As it progresses, loss of long term memory,
confusion, and mood swings become common
• Eventually loss of control of body functions
and death
Alzheimer’s Disease Causes
• Plaques and tangles form in the brain leading
to a loss of neurons and atrophy (death) of the
affected area
– Caused by a misfolded protein that causes the
deposits to form
Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
• No cure
• Diet, exercise, and mental stimulation may
reduce changes