Understanding Tumors and Seizures

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?

Malignant tumors lack a distinct border and can infiltrate surrounding tissue. (correct)

Benign tumors are more likely to metastasize than malignant tumors.

Benign tumors are typically composed of glial cells.

Malignant tumors are always larger than benign tumors.

Which type of tumor is characterized as an encapsulated, benign tumor?

Meningioma (correct)

Metastatic tumor

Neuroblastoma

Glioma

What is one of the primary ways tumors can cause damage to brain tissue?

By using cerebrospinal fluid for nourishment.

By compressing healthy brain tissue. (correct)

By producing excess neurotransmitters.

By directly replacing healthy cells.

What is a common side effect of chemotherapy?

Hair loss Signup and view all the answers

What do gliomas primarily originate from?

Transformed neural stem cells Signup and view all the answers

How do malignant tumors typically grow compared to benign tumors?

By infiltrating surrounding tissue without a clear border. Signup and view all the answers

What process occurs when a tumor breaks off and travels through the vascular system?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

What happens to neurons during a seizure?

They exhibit sudden, excessive activity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures?

Simple partial seizures do not cause loss of consciousness, while complex partial seizures do. Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of a grand mal seizure follows the tonic phase?

Clonic phase Signup and view all the answers

What symptoms may indicate the onset of a seizure?

Changes in mood and muscle jerks upon awakening Signup and view all the answers

Which seizure type is characterized by a period of inattention, often observed in children?

Absence seizure Signup and view all the answers

What is a common and serious condition characterized by a series of seizures without regaining consciousness?

Status epilepticus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of ischemic strokes?

Obstruction of blood flow by a thrombus or embolus Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most commonly associated with causing seizure disorders?

Scarring in the brain Signup and view all the answers

What medication is often advised to prevent thrombus formation?

Aspirin Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical approach to treating seizures?

Anticonvulsant drugs that increase the effectiveness of inhibitory synapses Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic symptom of generalized seizures?

Loss of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is used to help dissolve blood clots during ischemic strokes?

tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of hemorrhagic strokes?

They are caused by high blood pressure or weak blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of excessive glutamate in the context of stroke?

It causes neuron death. Signup and view all the answers

In cases where a thrombus is responsible for a stroke, what are the potential treatments?

Dissolving or removing the blood clot Signup and view all the answers

What is a teratogen?

A chemical that causes abnormal embryo development. Signup and view all the answers

How can atherosclerosis contribute to stroke risk?

By forming plaque in arteries and restricting blood flow Signup and view all the answers

What type of device is used to remove obstructions in cerebral occlusions?

Suction device or corkscrew-like device Signup and view all the answers

Which substance is linked to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder when consumed during pregnancy?

Alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common inherited metabolic disorder?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) Signup and view all the answers

What does excess phenylalanine in the blood interfere with?

Myelinization of neurons Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterizes fetal alcohol syndrome?

Abnormal facial development Signup and view all the answers

What is a metabolic storage disorder?

A genetic disorder where enzymes are missing. Signup and view all the answers

Which developmental issue is associated with Tay-Sachs disease?

Cognitive decline and seizures Signup and view all the answers

What does a low-phenylalanine diet aim to treat?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main functions of the antibody intrabody Happ1 in the treatment of a specific neurodegenerative disease?

It suppresses production of mutant huntingtin protein. Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is most commonly associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Progressive weakness and muscular atrophy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary genetic cause of hereditary Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Mutation in the gene for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) Signup and view all the answers

How does Riluzole help in managing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

It reduces glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Signup and view all the answers

What type of disease is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) classified as?

Autoimmune demyelinating Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Symptoms increase and decrease in intensity over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT associated with a higher risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Growing up near the equator Signup and view all the answers

What role do small interfering RNAs (siRNA) play in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?

They block the transcription of huntingtin genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of glatiramer acetate in the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

To reduce immune cell activity that attacks myelin Signup and view all the answers

Which abnormal structures are associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline leading to Alzheimer's disease?

High levels of physical fitness Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes Korsakoff's syndrome?

Chronic consumption of alcohol leading to thiamine deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of dementia related to Alzheimer's disease?

Progressive loss of recent event memory Signup and view all the answers

What type of treatment do acetylcholinesterase inhibitors provide for Alzheimer's disease?

They help manage symptoms without affecting the disease progression Signup and view all the answers

Which gene mutation is linked to familial forms of Alzheimer's disease?

APP gene on chromosome 21 Signup and view all the answers

What is a common treatment approach for managing encephalitis?

Using antiviral medication specific to the type of virus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neurological Disorders

680,000 individuals are living with brain tumors.
Tumors and seizures can occur separately.

Tumors

Mass of cells that grow uncontrollably and serve no useful purpose.
Some are cancerous (malignant) and some are not (benign).
The key distinction between malignant and benign tumors is encapsulation.
An encapsulated tumor has clear boundaries between the tumor cells and surrounding tissue.
Malignant tumors spread by infiltrating surrounding tissue.
Tumors can spread via metastases.
Tumors break off, travel through the vascular system (bloodstream), and grow in other areas of the body.
Brain damage due to tumors occurs through compression or infiltration.
Compression involves a benign tumor filling space, pushing against brain tissue.
Infiltration refers to the tumor cells directly destroying brain tissue. Alternatively, this can cause hydrocephalus, a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid.
Brain tumors can originate in the brain itself, or from other parts of the body that metastasize to the brain.
Serious types:
- Metastases (cancerous spread from other organs)
- Gliomas (cancerous tumors arising from glial cells; usually very malignant and grow quickly)
- Meningioma (encapsulated, benign tumor arising from the dura mater and arachnoid membrane)

Causes of Tumors

Originate from cells in the brain or spread from metastases elsewhere.
Most serious types as mentioned previously (metastases, gliomas, meningioma).

Treatments

Some tumors respond to radiation treatment.
Radiation can destroy the tumor or be targeted via radiosurgery.
Chemotherapy is another treatment option; affecting rapidly dividing cells like cancerous cells; causes side effects like hair loss and reduced blood flow.
Surgical interventions (surgical excision or removal)

Seizures

Brief periods of excessive neuronal activity.
Muscle convulsions can occur.
Not all seizures cause convulsions; many are subtle.
Partial seizures only affect a specific part of the brain.
Generalized seizures involve a large portion of the brain.
Seizures can result in brain damage.
Types:
- Simple Partial Seizures: Changes in consciousness without loss
- Complex Partial Seizures: Loss of consciousness
- Generalized Seizures: Includes motor seizures (tonic-clonic, grand mal)

Seizure Causes

Common causes are scarring, injury, stroke, developmental abnormalities or irritating effects of tumors.
Genetic factors influence seizure disorders
Genes controlling ion channel production

Cerebrovascular Accidents (Causes)

Types of strokes:
- Hemorrhagic Strokes: caused by bleeding within the brain due to malformed blood vessels or high blood pressure
- Ischemic Strokes: caused by blocked blood vessels (thrombi or emboli)
- Thrombi are blood clots forming in blood vessels.
- Embolus is a piece of material that forms in one part of the vascular system and blocks blood flow elsewhere.
Treatments: -Hemorrhagic: medication for lowering blood pressure or surgery -Ischemic: treatment to dissolve or remove clots, or anticoagulant drugs -Any clots can cause a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Open-head injuries involve objects penetrating the skull.
Closed-head injuries are impacts without bone fracture.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) arises from repeated head trauma (similar to dementia)

Disorders of Development

Toxic chemicals, exposure during pregnancy (alcohol, other toxins)
Genetic factors are important in intellectual disability

Inherited Metabolic Disorders

These disorders impact enzyme synthesis within the body.
Some disorders like PKU (phenylketonuria) result from enzyme deficiencies that affect neurological development.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Infectious brain diseases resulting in brain damage.
TSEs include Mad Cow disease (BSE).

Parkinson's Disease

Progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons.
Degeneration associated with abnormal proteins (Lewy bodies)
No genetic origin of Parkinson's

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Degenerative disorder affecting motor neurons.
Symptoms appear gradually such as muscle weakness and spasms or atrophy, paralysis affecting speech as well as purposeful movement.
5 out of 100,000 are affected

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune disease affecting myelin sheaths, disrupting nerve signals.
MS shows symptoms that increase and decrease in severity.

Dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease)

Progressive loss of cognitive function and memory.
Characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins (amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles) in the brain.

Herpes Simplex Virus, Rabies, Viral/Bacterial Meningitis

Infections of the nervous system characterized by inflammation, infection, and resulting damage.
Various types of viruses and bacteria lead to inflammation of the protective membranes of the brain (meningitis).
Symptoms can include: headaches, fever, stiff neck, and sometimes convulsions or loss of consciousness.

Korsakoff's Syndrome

Neurological disorder resulting from severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, often associated with chronic alcohol abuse.
Includes anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories)

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to tumors, both malignant and benign, including their characteristics, effects on brain tissue, and associated treatments. Additionally, it explores the nature of seizures, types, symptoms, and their physiological impacts. Test your knowledge on these critical medical topics!