Neurology Quiz on ALS and Related Conditions

A neurological condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, often affecting the neck, face, and limbs. It can occur as a side effect of certain medications, especially antipsychotics like haloperidol.

A medication used to treat acute dystonia. It works by blocking acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction.

A rare but potentially serious neurological disorder that causes temporary white matter damage in the brain, often associated with sudden increases in blood pressure. It can manifest with symptoms like headache, confusion, and seizures.

The primary treatment for RPLS involves gradually lowering the patient's blood pressure to alleviate the pressure on the brain.

The characteristic symptom of acute dystonia, often described as a rigid or stiff neck, eyes looking upwards, or other involuntary muscle movements.

Early onset of postural instability (difficulty maintaining balance) is a red flag that suggests the condition might not be idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease refers to Parkinson's disease with an unknown cause.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.

Upper motor neuron signs involve the motor pathways in the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms like spasticity (increased muscle tone) and hyperreflexia (exaggerated reflexes).

Lower motor neuron signs involve the motor neurons that directly connect to muscles, leading to symptoms like atrophy (muscle wasting) and fasciculations (twitching).

A condition caused by an increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure within the ventricles of the brain, typically affecting older adults. It can lead to gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment.

A rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder typically appearing in childhood and adolescence, characterized by progressive ataxia (lack of coordination), loss of sensation, and foot deformities. It is caused by a mutation in the frataxin gene.

A neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, leading to tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. In this context, it is specifically referring to the development of dementia after Parkinsonism.

A condition caused by blood accumulating in the epidural space of the spinal canal, typically following neuraxial anesthesia. It can lead to neurological deficits, including weakness, numbness, and urinary retention.

Cognitive impairment that is often experienced as a result of depression, characterized by memory difficulties, low motivation, and other symptoms. It can be distinguished from other cognitive disorders through its association with depression and specific symptoms.

A serious, usually viral, infection of the brain that can cause fever, seizures, altered behavior, and neurological dysfunction. It is often caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

A progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradual decline in cognitive abilities, including memory, language, and thinking skills. It is the most common cause of dementia, and often presents with early and prominent memory problems.

A condition characterized by inflammation, blood clotting, and blockage of the cavernous sinus, a venous channel in the skull. It can lead to headaches, fever, eye swelling, and neurological deficits.

A rare genetic disorder that causes abnormal blood vessel formation, leading to a higher risk of bleeding into the brain (stroke).

A collection of blood vessels in the brain that are interconnected in a tangled way. These vessels can rupture and cause bleeding.

A sudden loss of brain function due to bleeding in or around the brain. It's like a mini-stroke.

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to take pictures of the blood vessels in the brain.

A procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed from the body for examination under a microscope.

A condition commonly associated with spinal dysraphism, a birth defect affecting the spinal cord, and can also be caused by stretching of the spinal cord. It often involves dysfunction of the nerves in the spinal cord, leading to symptoms like weakness and sensory loss.

A medical imaging technique used to visualize the spine and surrounding structures, detecting abnormalities such as disc herniation, nerve compression, and spinal cord abnormalities.

A medical condition characterized by sudden, intense back pain radiating to one leg. It typically involves sensory loss in the affected leg and weakness in foot dorsiflexion and toe extension. Often caused by compression of a nerve root, typically L5.

The ability to point the toes upwards (dorsiflexion) and extend the toes.

The top surface of the foot. It is the part that is closest to the front of the lower leg.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can cause headaches, facial pain, and difficulty chewing.

Common symptoms of TMD include headaches, pain in the face, especially around the temples and eyes, and pain or tenderness in the jaw muscles.

Pain in the temples and around the eyes (periorbital pain), along with jaw fatigue while eating, suggests TMD. This pain may be worse on one side, like the right side.

Tenderness in the masseter muscle, a jaw muscle, is a common finding in TMD. It can be identified by palpating (feeling) the muscle on both sides of the face.

TMD usually doesn't cause neurological problems. If a patient's neurologic exam is normal, TMD is a more likely diagnosis.