Objectives

• Identify anatomy and physiology of the nervous system• Recognize common symptoms of the nervous system• Recognize common laboratory and diagnostic tests for

diseases of the nervous system• Differentiate various diseases of the nervous system

MeningitisBell’s PalsyCVA/TIAMultiple SclerosisConcussion (Shaken Baby Syndrome)

Identify anatomy and physiology of the nervous system

Functions

Gather sensory input (afferent)

Integrates info (to CNS)

Responds with motor output (efferent)

Acetylcholine Dopamine GABA Glutamate Nor epinephrine Serotonin

Breakdown of the Nervous System(s)

Recognize common symptoms of the nervous system

• Headache• Weakness• Nausea and vomiting• Motor disturbances (stiff neck or back, rigid

muscles, seizures, convulsions, paralysis)• Sensory disturbances (vision or speech)• Drowsiness, stupor, coma• Mood swings• Fever

Recognize common laboratory and diagnostic tests

• Reflexes• Lumbar puncture• CT, MRI• EEG• EMG

Meningitis

• Medical emergency: inflammation of the meninges

• Caused by Haemophilus influenza type B, neisseria meningitis

• Signs/symptoms: severe H/A, vomiting, seizures, nuchal rigidity

• Dx’d by lumbar puncture• Tx with ABO, isolation

Bell’s Palsy

• Paralysis of muscles on one side of the face (7th cranial nerve)

• Caused by tumors, vascular ischemia, autoimmune or virus

• Signs/symptoms: facial weakness, drooping mouth, decrease sense of taste, unable to close eye of affected side

• Dx’d by physical exam• Tx with electrical

stimulation; massage

CVA-TIA

• CVA= Cerebrovascular Accident

• TIA= Transient Ischemic Attack

• Ischemic Stroke• Hemorrhagic Stroke• Commonly called

Stroke or Brain Attack

CVA/TIA: how can you tell???

• Smile• Raise both arms• Speak a simple

sentence• Stick out your tongue

Multiple Sclerosis

• Destruction of myelin sheath (protects axons)

• May be immunological, viral , genetic

• Signs/symptoms: transient motor and sensory disturbances

• Dx’d by CSF analysis, CT, MRI

• Tx is symptomatic; corticosteroids; avoidance of temp extremes

Concussion

• Grade 1: mild; no loss of consciousness; dazed

• Grade 2: more severe; no loss of consciousness and no recall of event

• Grade 3: loss of consciousness; amnesia

Shaken Baby Syndrome

• Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of head injury caused by the baby's brain rebounding inside of the baby's skull when shaken.

• In this injury there is bruising of the brain, swelling, pressure, and bleeding (intracerebral hemorrhage).

• This can easily lead to permanent, severe brain damage or death.