Intro to Neuro
The four lobes of the brain
What are frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital
The two structures in the Central Nervous System (CNS)
What are the brain and spinal cord?
What is an action potential?
A form of electrical communication that consists of a brief spike in membrane potential that flows from the cell body to the axon terminal
This neurotransmitter is diminished in Parkinson's Disease
What is dopamine
What kind of inheritance pattern occurs in Huntington's Disease?
Autosomal Dominant, makes sense due to anticipation
The white matter that covers an axon
What is myelin?
This structure helps circulate cerebrospinal fluid
What are ventricles
Describe the proper direction of an action potential
Dendrites ---> Cell Body ---> Axon ---> Axon Terminal ----> Synapse
What can cause meningitis?
What are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites among other noninfectious agents
This structure is a joining area of arteries on the inferior side of the brain. It oxygenates more than eighty percent of the cerebrum.
What is the Circle of Willis
The 'relay station' of the brain that is responsible for receiving and interpreting sensory information and then sending that information to the cerebral cortex
This portion of the brain stem directly connects to the spinal cord and controls autonomic functions such as one's heartbeat, breathing, and digestion.
What is the medulla oblongata?
What occurs during the depolarization phase of the action potential?
There is an increase in the voltage across the membrane due to the opening of the Na+ channels
This structure in a neuron is destroyed by the immune system in patients that have Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
What is myelin?
What are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease?
Bob, an 82 year old man, arrived at the ED after a fall in which he hit the back of his head. He states that since his fall he has felt dizzy and out of balance when walking. He likely injured which region of his brain
What is the cerebellum?
Timmy fell off of his bike while riding without a helmet. He injured the lateral side of his head. He now has problems learning and retaining information he learns in class. He likely injured which structure
What is the hippocampus?
What are the two types of synapses? How do they differ?
What are chemical and electrical. They differ in time it takes to send information, usage of ions compared to neurotransmitters, and proximity of pre and postsynaptic neurons.
A very sick patient presents with an advanced disease that has no made it difficult for them to swallow, breathe, speak and even walk. What disease and neurotransmitter is involved in this pathophysiology?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Glutamate
What is a reflex arc? Give an example
A reflex arc allows the body to respond to important stimuli instantaneously without involving the brain.
Describe the function of glia and give examples of three different types of glia
Glia are the supporting cells of the CNS (brain and spinal cord). They help maintain health and functional activity of neurons. Astrocytes provide nutrients and regulate the environment. Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells both produce myelin. Lastly, microglia clean up dying cells.
Describe the difference between afferent and efferent neurons. Where are they located? What are their functions?
Afferent neurons are neurons that contain sensory information. That information then travels to the brain via the spinal cord. Efferent neurons are neurons that contain motor information. That information travels from the brain/spinal cord to the proper muscle. Both play a role in reflex arcs.
What is membrane potential? Also, at neuronal resting potential where do the majority of the Na+ K+ and Cl+ ions lie?
Membrane potential is the difference of electrical charge inside the neuron compared to outside. At rest, Na+ and Cl- are more outside, K+ more inside
Mary is a 65 year old with a 40 year history of smoking cigarettes. She was rushed to the emergency room after experiencing facial drooping on the right side of her face, right sided arm weakness, and slurred speech. What kind of stoke has occurred and how did it happen?
An ischemic stroke occurred and blood flow to the brain was obstructed due to a clot. This clot then caused ischemia, an inadequate blood supply, and thus inadequate oxygen to the brain. This could be explained due to her smoking history.
Jake is a freshman college student who recently moved into his dorm. He went to the wellness center after not feeling well after class one morning and found out he had a fever. He also noticed that he had a horrible headache and a stiff neck around the time he noticed his fever. His parents are antivaxxers. What disease does Jake have, how could this have been prevented, and what lab test would be relevant here?
Jake has meningitis and he could have received a vaccine to prevent getting it. A CSF sample would be relevant and would show cloudiness as well as many neutrophils and organisms.