Anatomy
What major lobe is at the back of your brain?
Occipital
Which lobe of the brain is most commonly associated with epileptic seizures?
Temporal Lobe
What are the two main forms of treatment for psychiatric illness?
Talk therapy and medications
How many years of training after high school does it take to become a neurologist (no fellowship)?
12 years
What is one common target of many medications for Epilepsy, and why is this problematic?
Ion channel blockers
They often have non-specific effects leading to lots of side effects
What are the connections between neurons called?
Synapses
What happens during an ischemic stroke? How is it different from a hemorrhagic stroke?
A clot obstructs a blood vessel leading to oxygen deprivation
Why is it critical to remove a blood clot in the brain ASAP?
More time without oxygen leads to more brain death (1 million neurons per minute)
Name 3 sub-specialties within Neurology?
Various answers
You see a patient who has difficulty speaking and moving her right leg, form a differential diagnosis and include 3 possible causes along with justification for why they are on your differential?
Answers will vary
Ex: Stroke, Seizure, Tumor
What’s the central nerve connection between the two hemispheres of the brain called?
Corpus callosum
What hormone is associated with chronic stress? What effect does it have on dendrites and neurons?
Cortisol shortens dendrites and creates fewer branches (less arborization)
Name a condition that a brain-machine interface can help treat?
Paralysis (will accept other answers if explained)
What are the UC Eligibility criteria?
1. Completion of A-G courses
2. At least a 3.0 GPA (for Cali residents)
Describe what happens in spinal stenosis and name 3 possible symptoms?
1. Narrowing of spinal column
2. loss of sensation, tingling, back pain, burning pain
The thoracic nerves provide innervation to the ____ and _____
Chest; Abdomen
Name five signs of stroke?
Balance loss, eyesight changes, face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties
The _________ prevents both pathogens and most drugs from entering the brain. What approach can be used to disrupt this structure in a localized manner and allow drugs into the brain to treat disease.
Blood brain barrier; focused ultrasound
What does OPQRST stand for? What is it used to describe?
1. Onset, Palliation/Prevention, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing
2. The history of present illness
Name the 5 terminal branches of the Brachial Plexus?
axillary, median, radial, ulnar, musculocutaneous
What 4 sections is the spinal column split into?
Cervical, Thoracic, Sacral, Coccyx
Name five parts of the neuro exam (besides reflexes) and two reflexes that can be tested during the neuro exam?
1. Mental Status, Cranial Nerves, Motor Exam, Sensory Exam, Coordination, Gait
2. Patellar, Biceps, Triceps, Achilles reflexes
What are the three main forms of treatment for epilepsy? What are the shortcomings of each approach?
1. Medication; Many side effects
2. Surgery; permanent loss of neurologic function
3. Devices; can only target one focus
Name 5 social determinants of health
???
MC is a 75yo male with a history of high blood pressure and diabetes and no history of trauma who comes into clinic complaining about a sudden difficulty moving their lower left leg that started 30 minutes ago. Physical exam reveals moderate motor weakness in the lower left limb and mild motor weakness in the upper left limb. Motor function is normal in the right limbs. Sensory function is normal in all limbs. ROS reveals previously unreported difficulty urinating.
What condition is MC likely experiencing? Where is this likely occurring? What should be done next?
Right ACA ischemic stroke. Treat with surgery or tPA