Week 9 Summary

The lessons this week provided you with an overview of the pathophysiology of the nervous system. We discussed the assessment and management of pain and the three major types of headaches commonly seen in primary care. We also covered mood disorders, especially depression, and disorders of memory and cognition.

Here are the key points covered:

The nervous system is an extraordinarily complex communication system that transmits and receives a huge amount of information at one time.

Aging triggers off a series of physiologic changes in the nervous system. These changes manifest through symptoms like a decline in the level of cognition, the degeneration of the thought process, and loss of memory.

Pain is one of the most common manifestations of neurological disorders. It can be classified in several ways. Some common classifications are somatic and visceral pain and acute and chronic pain.

Headache is a neurological complaint that can be categorized into three broad types: tension or stress headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches.

Depression occurs due to an imbalance of brain chemicals. There are many effective treatments for depression today, but early detection and intervention are the best treatment.

Dementia is a result of the steady and progressive decline in the functioning of the brain, resulting in mental impairment.

Delirium is a disorder of cognition and attention. It is associated with a decreased level of consciousness.

Reference:

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Fact sheets. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/en/

Neurological System Case Study

A 35-year-old male is admitted to a hospital following a minor car accident. He was driving home and fell asleep at the wheel. This is the third accident he has had in the past year. He also falls asleep regularly at work, at the dinner table, at church, and, in fact, anywhere. When he becomes excited or enraged, he suddenly becomes weak and falls. At night, he often has bizarre, terrifying dreams. During these dreams, he feels as if he were paralyzed.

Based on the scenario given above, answer the following questions:

Describe how a nerve impulse is transmitted from one neuron to the next.

Compare the structure and functions of the CNS and PNS.

What is the probable diagnosis for this man’s condition?

What parts of the person’s brain could have been affected?

What sleep state do these symptoms resemble?

How would an electroencephalogram (EEG) look like during the sleep condition of this patient?

What type of treatments (physical or chemical) would you prescribe for the patient?