Neurology Quiz: EEG, Brain Waves, and Disorders

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• Electrodes are placed on the scalp to detect tiny electrical charges from brain cell activity.
• The charges are amplified and displayed as a graph on a computer screen or printed on paper.
• EEG is used to diagnose various brain disorders, including narcolepsy.

Brain Waves

• EEG records the electrical activity in the brain.
• Different brainwave patterns include alpha, beta, theta, and delta waves.
• These waves have different frequencies associated with varying brain states, such as alertness and sleep.

Hydrocephalus

• Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid within brain cavities (ventricles).
• This fluid buildup puts pressure on the brain, potentially causing damage.
• Enlarged ventricles are a sign of hydrocephalus, often leading to an enlarged head, especially in infants.
• Treatment may involve external drainage (temporary) or shunting procedures (permanently redirecting excess CSF).

Aphasia

• Aphasia is the loss of the ability to understand or communicate speech due to brain damage.
• It can affect various aspects of language, including speaking, understanding, writing, and reading.
• Causes include brain damage from any illness.
• Symptoms vary, depending on the location and extent of the brain damage.
  • Speaking difficulties include struggling to find words or substituting unrelated words.
  • Understanding difficulties include challenges with quickly spoken language or situations with background noise.
  • Writing and reading difficulties include problems comprehending or producing written material.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease.
• Younger-onset Alzheimer's can affect individuals younger than 65.
• Characteristic features include neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. - Neurofibrillary tangles are abnormal protein accumulations within neurons. - Amyloid plaques are abnormal deposits of protein outside neurons.
• Alzheimer's affects communication between neurons, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and other symptoms.
• Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter affected in Alzheimer's.
• Cholinesterase inhibitors are a treatment approach for Alzheimer's. They slow down the breakdown of acetylcholine.

Brain Tumors

• Benign or malignant brain tumors can develop in the brain.
• Brain tumors can lead to common symptoms, such as headaches, seizures, and numbness or tingling in limbs.
• Gliomas are frequently occurring primary brain tumors, originating from glial cells (neuroglia).
  • Subtypes of gliomas include astrocytomas (astrocytes), ependymomas (ependymal cells), and oligodendrogliomas (oligodendrocytes).

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's is a progressive disorder affecting the nervous system.
• Symptoms include tremor, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and reduced automatic movements.
• It results from a lack of dopamine due to the loss of dopamine-producing cells, which disrupts movement.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord.
• It targets motor neurons and leads to muscle weakness and progressive deterioration.

Stephen Hawking

• A notable figure with a profound impact on the field of cosmology.

Test your knowledge on key concepts in neurology, including Electroencephalograms (EEG), brain wave patterns, hydrocephalus, and aphasia. This quiz covers the mechanisms, diagnoses, and treatments associated with these conditions. Perfect for students studying neuroscience or psychology.