WEEK 7 Lecture Notes:
on CNS Disorders and Management
Key Concepts
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
NR507 – Week 7 Central Nervous System
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neurodegenerative disorders progressively target and destroy certain areas
of brain function. This leads to tremors, paralysis, reduced cognitive function,
poor memory recall, and speech and/or language problems. These
debilitating conditions may have a significant impact on friends and family
even before a client requires total care. Dementia and Parkinson’s disease
are two examples of common neurodegenerative conditions.
Q: Neurodegenerative disorders are primarily characterized by the
progressive degeneration of the structures and functions of the
brain (not the peripheral nervous system), especially neurons. This process
is usually gradual and worsens over time (not rapidly), leading to irreversible
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
(not reversible) symptoms, including memory loss, impaired judgment, and
motor dysfunction.
Neurodegenerative Disorders Affecting Motor Function
Progressive degenerative of structure and function of the nervous
system
o Incurable and debilitating = gradual decline in cognitive, motor,
or functional abilities
o More common in older adult but can occur at birth
neurodegenerative diseases share common pathological mechanisms,
such as protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and
neuronal loss
Parkinson’s Disease
o Affects substantia nigra in the basal ganglia
o Marked by loss of dopaminergic neurons
o Symptoms = tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia
o Early as 40 but mostly 60s
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
o Affects motor neurons in spinal cord and brain
o Symptoms = progressive muscle weakness and atrophy
o Diagnosed in 40s and 50s
o Genetic predisposition
Huntington’s Disease
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
o Affects degeneration of nerve cells in basal ganglia
o Symptoms = uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances,
cognitive decline
o Starts in 40s and 50s
o Genetic
Multiple Sclerosis
o Affects damages myelin sheath in the CNS
o Symptoms = wide range and vary from person to person
o Presents in 20s to 40s
o Autoimmune – environmental and genetic
Myasthenia Gravis
o Affects communication between nerves and muscles
o Symptoms = muscle weakness and fatigue, muscles controlling
eye movement, facial expressions, swallowing
o Autoimmune
Neurodegenerative Disorders Affecting Cognitive Function
disorders are classified as types of dementia because they are
characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, behavior, and reduced
function, which impacts everyday activities
Understanding the different forms of dementia is critical for accurate
diagnosis and effective management and/or referral. While there are
currently no cures for most neurodegenerative disorders, treatments
are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In some
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
on CNS Disorders and Management
Key Concepts
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
NR507 – Week 7 Central Nervous System
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neurodegenerative disorders progressively target and destroy certain areas
of brain function. This leads to tremors, paralysis, reduced cognitive function,
poor memory recall, and speech and/or language problems. These
debilitating conditions may have a significant impact on friends and family
even before a client requires total care. Dementia and Parkinson’s disease
are two examples of common neurodegenerative conditions.
Q: Neurodegenerative disorders are primarily characterized by the
progressive degeneration of the structures and functions of the
brain (not the peripheral nervous system), especially neurons. This process
is usually gradual and worsens over time (not rapidly), leading to irreversible
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
(not reversible) symptoms, including memory loss, impaired judgment, and
motor dysfunction.
Neurodegenerative Disorders Affecting Motor Function
Progressive degenerative of structure and function of the nervous
system
o Incurable and debilitating = gradual decline in cognitive, motor,
or functional abilities
o More common in older adult but can occur at birth
neurodegenerative diseases share common pathological mechanisms,
such as protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and
neuronal loss
Parkinson’s Disease
o Affects substantia nigra in the basal ganglia
o Marked by loss of dopaminergic neurons
o Symptoms = tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia
o Early as 40 but mostly 60s
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
o Affects motor neurons in spinal cord and brain
o Symptoms = progressive muscle weakness and atrophy
o Diagnosed in 40s and 50s
o Genetic predisposition
Huntington’s Disease
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51648332
o Affects degeneration of nerve cells in basal ganglia
o Symptoms = uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances,
cognitive decline
o Starts in 40s and 50s
o Genetic
Multiple Sclerosis
o Affects damages myelin sheath in the CNS
o Symptoms = wide range and vary from person to person
o Presents in 20s to 40s
o Autoimmune – environmental and genetic
Myasthenia Gravis
o Affects communication between nerves and muscles
o Symptoms = muscle weakness and fatigue, muscles controlling
eye movement, facial expressions, swallowing
o Autoimmune
Neurodegenerative Disorders Affecting Cognitive Function
disorders are classified as types of dementia because they are
characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, behavior, and reduced
function, which impacts everyday activities
Understanding the different forms of dementia is critical for accurate
diagnosis and effective management and/or referral. While there are
currently no cures for most neurodegenerative disorders, treatments
are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In some
Downloaded by Benjamin Luca ()
