Neurology for BCSE

What is the medical term that describes difficulty swallowing?

Dysphagia

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

List four nerves or neuroanatomical structures involved in the menace response.

Retina
Optic nerve (II)
Medulla
Cerebral cortex
Cerebellum
Facial nerve (VII)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Muscle stiffness and tremor, trismus, and prolapse of the third eyelid are classic clinical findings for which neurological disease of large animals?

Tetanus

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which neurological disease of cattle is characterized by multifocal microabscesses in the brain stem?

Listeriosis

(Listeria monocytogenes infection)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

In ruminants, polioencephalomalacia is most commonly due to relative deficiency in which vitamin?

Thiamine

(vitamin B1)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which diagnostic test might produce abnormal results described as: positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials?

Electromyography

(EMG)

Used for assessing patients with suspected myopathic or denervation disorders.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

In Horner syndrome, how can a lesion be localized pharmacologically to determine if it is preganglionic or postganglionic (of the lower motor neuron portion of the pathway)?

Application of a dilute direct-acting sympathomimetic to both eyes

This reveals minimal pupillary dilation if the lesion is presynaptic, and marked dilation if the lesion is postganglionic.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Why is a CSF aspirate contraindicated in a patient with clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure?

Increased risk of brain herniation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

In domestic animals, which bony landmarks do you use when performing a cervical spinal puncture for either injecting contrast medium for myelography or obtaining a cerebrospinal fluid sample?

Wings of the atlas
External occipital protuberance

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Presence of a crossed extensor reflex is considered abnormal in a recumbent animal. Is it a sign of upper or lower motor neuron disease?

Upper motor neuron disease

When recumbent, inhibitory UMN pathways should suppress this reflex; its presence indicates loss of that inhibition. It is normal in a standing animal because weight-bearing requires coordinated extension of the opposite limb when one limb is flexed.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

During a neurological examination, what does a normal panniculus reflex indicate?

Integrity of the spinal cord between the site of stimulation and the C8-T1 spinal cord segment

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The cervical intumescence, the origin of the lower motor neurons for the thoracic limbs, contains which spinal cord segments?

C6-T2

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

During a neurological examination, where is a spinal lesion likely to be if there is pathologically increased resistance to bladder outflow?

Upper motor neuron lesion cranial to the sacral spinal cord segments

(i.e., lumbar or cranial to it)

This causes increased urethral sphincter tone.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Upper motor neuron signs in both the thoracic and pelvic limbs localize a neurological lesion to which segments of the spinal cord?

C1-C5

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The Cushing reflex/Cushing response is activated with severe increases in intracranial pressure. What is the expected change in arterial blood pressure that occurs as a result of the Cushing reflex?

Systemic arterial hypertension

When intracranial pressure rises markedly (e.g., injury, inflammation), this reflex helps ensure that cerebral arterial perfusion is maintained.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

If nystagmus changes direction with head position, is the vestibular lesion most likely central or peripheral?

Central

(i.e., due to a brain lesion)

Nystagmus due to peripheral (middle/inner ear) lesions does not change directions with changes in head position.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord?

Glutamate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name three clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure.

Altered mentation
Circling
Head-pressing
Pacing
Aimless wandering
Cortical blindness
Seizures (lesions of cerebral cortex and thalamus)
Hyperreflexia
Tetraplegia
Absence of pupillary light reflex (midbrain)
Mydriasis (mesencephalon)
Cranial nerve dysfunction
Disturbance of consciousness
Abnormal respiration (medulla oblongata)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of Schwann cells?

Myelination of peripheral nerves

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

The menace response test assesses which cranial nerves?

CN II and VII

(optic and facial, respectively)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which nerve and associated spinal cord segments does the patellar reflex test?

Study These Flashcards

Femoral nerve

(spinal segments L4-6)

In neurology, what is meant by the term “root signature”?

Study These Flashcards

Lameness and pain resulting from reduced sensation in a nerve root or sensory nerve of the cervical or lumbosacral intumescence

It usually is a result of nerve compression.

This disease causes flaccid paralysis and results from a toxin blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

Study These Flashcards

Botulism

How does the toxin of Clostridium tetani cause disinhibition of the extensor motor neurons?

Study These Flashcards

Interferes with the interneuronal release of the inhibitory neurotransmitters glycine and GABA

Glycine is in the spinal cord, GABA is in the brainstem.

The **diaphragm** is innervated by which **pair of nerves**?

Left and right phrenic nerves

Cranial nerve IV, the trochlear nerve, is the motor pathway to a **single muscle only**. Which one is it?

Dorsal oblique muscle of the eye

The **pupillary light reflex** tests which **cranial nerves**?

CN II and III | (optic and oculomotor, respectively)

Which **part of the brain** is responsible for the **modification and coordination** of body **movements** so that they are fluid in nature?

The cerebellum

A lesion affecting the **ascending reticular activating system** in the **brainstem** would result in which **characteristic** clinical manifestation?

* Depressed mentation * Coma

Which **branch** of the **trigeminal nerve** (CN V) innervates the muscles of **mastication**?

Mandibular

In addition to causing **paralysis of the limb** and **loss of sensation** distal to the elbow, a **complete brachial plexus avulsion** typically causes two other neurological deficits. What are they?

* Ipsilateral Horner syndrome (T1-3; sympathetic nerve) * Loss of cutaneous trunci reflex (C8, T1; lateral thoracic nerve)

Which **disorder of globe** (eyeball) movement is seen with **central** but not peripheral **vestibular dysfunction**?

Vertical nystagmus | (horizontal and rotary nystagmus can occur in both central, peripheral) ## Footnote Another acceptable answer: nystagmus that changes in direction with change in head position.

Which nerve supplies **parasympathetic innervation** to the **detrusor muscle** of the urinary bladder?

The pelvic nerve ## Footnote For the urinary tract, also remember: the hypogastric nerve provides sympathetic innervation and the pudendal nerve provides somatic innervation.

**Failure of muscular coordination** is known as?

Ataxia

Assuming an intact endoneurial sheath, a transected axon will regrow at which **distance** per day?

1 mm

Which **structure** secretes cerebrospinal fluid (**CSF**)?

The **choroid plexuses** of the ventricles of the brain

Where are the **Renshaw cells** located, and what is their **function**?

* Location: ventral horns of the spinal cord * Function: inhibitory neurons that transmit inhibitory signals to surrounding motor neurons

Which **three vessels** are part of the **circle of Willis**? ## Footnote Also called arterial circle of the brain.

* Right internal carotid artery * Left internal carotid artery * Basilar artery ## Footnote These vessels form an elongated arterial ring on the ventral surface of the brain.

In peripheral vestibular disease, is the fast phase of nystagmus directed **away from** or **toward the side** of the lesion?

Away | (remember: nystagmus "runs *away*" from the lesion)

The most common clinical signs in dogs and cats with **portosystemic shunts** reflect **dysfunction** of which body system secondary to poor **liver** function?

Central nervous system | (dullness, seizures)

What is the **difference** between Hansen type I and type II **intervertebral disk disease**?

* Hansen type I: acute extrusion of nucleus pulposus into vertebral canal * Hansen type II: slow chronic protrusion of annulus fibrosus into vertebral canal

What are the top **three differential diagnoses** for a dog or cat with **acute pelvic limb paraplegia** and no history of trauma?

* Intervertebral disk disease * Fibrocartilaginous embolism * Neoplasia ## Footnote A tumor can be slowly compressive without causing clinical signs until vascular autoregulation is suddenly overwhelmed followed by rapid progression to paraplegia.

Which **nerve** supplies sympathetic innervation to the bladder?

The hypogastric nerve | (also to the internal urethral sphincter) ## Footnote For urinary control, also remember: the pudendal nerve provides somatic innervation to the external urethral sphincter, and the pelvic nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the urinary bladder.

When observing for symmetry of **facial expression**, you are mainly assessing the status of which **cranial nerve**?

Facial nerve | (CN VII)

What is **myelomalacia**? Name a commonly seen condition in **dogs** that **causes** it.

* Definition: softening of the spinal cord; * Condition: in dogs, most often seen with intervertebral disk disease ## Footnote Causes flaccid, ascending paraplegia, areflexia, loss of deep pain, and, in worst cases, respiratory paralysis.

Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM, a.k.a. "wobbler syndrome") in **horses** has multiple **risk factors/causes**. Name **two**.

* Malformation of the vertebral column * Osteochondrosis in cervical articular process joints * Repetitive microtrauma to the cervical vertebrae * Dietary factors * Male sex * Certain breed predispositions ## Footnote Abnormal vertebral growth, trauma, and nutritional imbalances combine to cause cervical spinal compression. Dietary factors: e.g., copper deficiency, excessive zinc, high‑carbohydrate ration

How does the pathogenesis of **equine protozoal myeloencephalitis** (EPM) lead to the classic clinical signs seen in horses?

* Sporocysts of *Sarcocystis neurona* (or, rarely, *Neospora hughesii*) are ingested, spread via the bloodstream, and invade neural tissue in the brain and spinal cord * This causes multifocal, asymmetric lesions that disrupt motor and sensory pathways ## Footnote Multifocal asymmetrical CNS lesions result in the hallmark asymmetric ataxia, weakness, and muscle atrophy characteristic of EPM.

A dairy cow housed indoors during the winter develops acute depression, unilateral facial paralysis (drooped ear and lip), continuous salivation, and recumbency consistent with listeriosis. **What is the pathogenesis of this disease?**

Ascending infection by *Listeria monocytogenes* of the brain stem via the trigeminal nerve leads to localized meningoencephalitis ## Footnote The bacterium typically enters via oral mucosal abrasions from contaminated feed (e.g., spoiled silage).

What is the **causative agent** of classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (**BSE**) in cattle, and how is it primarily **transmitted**?

* Cause: an abnormal prion protein (PrP^Sc) * Transmission: primarily through ingestion of feed contaminated with infected animal-source protein (meat-and-bone meal) ## Footnote The misfolded prions initiate a fatal neurodegenerative process.

**Spastic paresis** is an inherited condition of **cattle** that causes spastic contraction of the gastrocnemius or quadriceps muscles. Which is the **typical clinical presentation**? * A. Abduction of the forelimbs * B. Hyperextension of the hind limbs * C. Trembling of the forelimbs only * D. Flexion of the hind limbs

B. Hyperextension of the hind limbs | (one or both hind limbs)

Neurology Flashcards

Assess neurologic function and localize lesions through interpretation of clinical signs, neuroanatomy, and diagnostics. (50 cards)