Dementia and Lewy Body Quiz

Central Nervous System

• The central nervous system (CNS) is a complex network responsible for controlling body functions and coordinating responses to stimuli.
• The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Central and Peripheral Nervous System

• The peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects the CNS to the rest of the body, enabling communication and control.
• The PNS has two main branches: the autonomic and somatic systems.

Brain Anatomy

• The brain is divided into different regions with specific functions.
• Key structures include the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, the brainstem, and cerebellum.

Lobes and Functions

• Frontal lobe: Associated with consciousness and higher cognitive functions (planning, decision-making).
• Parietal lobe: Processes movement and stimulus perception, integrating sensory information.
• Temporal lobe: Important for language processing (speech recognition).
• Occipital lobe: Responsible for vision.
• Brainstem: Regulates basic bodily functions like breathing and heart rate.
• Cerebellum: Controls motor coordination and balance.

Spinal Cord

• The spinal cord is a long, cylindrical structure connecting the brain to the PNS.
• It transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
• It also controls reflexes.

Autonomic Nervous System

• This system regulates involuntary bodily functions (heart rate, digestion).
• It has a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches.

Peripheral Nervous System

• The PNS carries information to and from the CNS.
• It includes nerves and ganglia.
• Includes the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Nervous System Cells

• Neurons: Functional units of the nervous system, transmitting signals via action potentials.
• Neuroglia: Supporting cells in the nervous system like oligodendroglia and Schwann cells.

Meninges

• The meninges are protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• The layers include dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is in the subarachnoid space.

Cerebral Arterial Circle (Circle of Willis)

• The cerebral arterial circle is a network of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation

• A group of congenital malformations affecting the hindbrain (cerebellum, brainstem, upper cervical cord) and skull base.
• Classified into four types (I-IV) based on severity.
• Downward displacement of brain structures, causing compression and symptoms.
• Treatment options include medications, shunting, and surgery.

Dandy-Walker Malformation

• A congenital malformation of the brain, specifically the cerebellum.
• Features include posterior fossa enlargement and fourth ventricle dilation, vermis is typically absent.
• Symptoms vary depending on severity.
• Treatment focuses on managing hydrocephalus and related complications.

Neural Tube Defects

• Result from failures in the early development of the neural tube.
• Types include craniorachischisis, anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida occulta, closed spinal dysraphism, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.
• Diagnosis and management are crucial during fetal development.

Acute Viral Infections-Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

• A severe viral infection affecting the temporal and frontal lobes.
• Caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).
• Diagnosed through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and/or PCR testing.
• Treatment involves immediate acyclovir administration.

Cytomegaloviral Infections (CMV)

• CMV is a common viral infection in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.
• It can affect the nervous system and may lead to severe neurological damage or death.
• Diagnosis involves detecting CMV in CSF or tissue samples.

Necrotizing and Haemorrhagic Encephalitis

• CNS inflammation with tissue damage, often due to infectious or autoimmune processes.
• Various causes like CMV and herpes infections.
• Diagnose through histological examination of affected tissue.

Toxoplasmosis

• Infection by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, often asymptomatic in healthy adults but detrimental in immunocompromised individuals.
• Neurologic symptoms develop from dormant parasites reactivating in the CNS.
• Diagnosis via serologic testing and/or tissue identification.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

• Fungal infection, primarily seen in diabetic or immunocompromised patients.
• Presents with septate hyphae.
• Diagnosed via tissue samples of the involved nasal passages.

Alzheimer's Disease

• A chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain.
• Its main symptoms are memory loss, and cognitive decline.
• The disease progresses gradually, and there is no cure.
• Potential causes include genetic factors, inflammatory processes, and environmental exposures.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

• A type of dementia that involves the abnormal accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein.
• This protein accumulation affects parts of the brain responsible for movement, thinking, sleep, mood and behaviour.
• Diagnosis by observing symptoms, and brain scans.

Parkinson's Disease

• A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain.
• It's primarily characterized by movement issues (tremors, rigidity, slowed movements).
• Dopamine levels in the brain are compromised due to degeneration in the substantia nigra in the midbrain area.
• Several types of symptoms and complications.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

• A rare and fatal prion disease that rapidly progresses.
• Causes severe brain damage and neurological abnormalities.
• Varied disease etiology and severity
• Often caused by a prion protein that converts itself into a harmful conformation.
• Has several different variants, all with differing causes.

Choroid Plexus Cyst

• A benign cyst that develops in the choroid plexus in the brain.
• Filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
• Symptoms include signs of increased intracranial pressure.
• Diagnosis via imaging like CT or MRI.

Choroid Plexus Papilloma

• A rare type of benign tumor arising from the choroid plexus.
• Can cause hydrocephalus.
• More frequent in children.
• Presents as a mass within the ventricular system or brain.

Glial Tumors

• A large group of brain tumors derived from glial cells.
• They vary in their behavior from benign to aggressive.
• Classification based on the WHO Grading System, which classifies the tumors based on their histology and behavior

Histological Grading of Diffuse Astrocytic Tumors

• Grading system used for diffuse astrocytic tumors, based on 2016 WHO classifications.
• Grading assessed using four histological parameters.

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

• A low-grade brain tumor of childhood, typically in the cerebellum.
• Good prognosis, often easily removable via surgery.

Ependymoma

• Tumor arising from ependymal cells, lining the brain ventricles or spinal canal.
• More common in children.
• Infiltrative but more common to be circumscribed in CNS.

Diffuse Astrocytoma

• Well-differentiated brain tumor with astrocytic features and infiltrating growth pattern.

Glioblastoma Multiforme

• A high-grade and aggressive tumor having both a malignant and infiltrative component.
• Usually presents with acute focal symptoms.

Astroblastoma

• A rare type of primitive brain tumor.
• Characterized by the presence of perivascular pseudorosettes formed from GFAP+ cells.
• In children and young adults

Medulloblastoma

• A malignant brain tumor of childhood arising from the cerebellum.
• It is rapidly growing tumor.

Meningioma

• Benign tumor of the meninges, which are the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Usually located near the skull base or dura mater.

Metastatic Tumors

• Tumors that have spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.
• Often caused by cancers in other body organs and tissues like the lung, breast or kidney.

Test your knowledge on dementia with Lewy bodies and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) through this quiz. Explore the primary proteins and pathological features associated with these conditions to enhance your understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.