Medical brain notes 7

  MOVEMENT  DISORDERS AND DYSTONIA The movements of the human body are mostly voluntary and are dependent on three major groups of neurons & tracts, each of which comprises a different system. i.                 Pyramidal system. ii.                 Para pyramidal system. iii.                 Extra pyramidal system.   The first system is the most important of them all. The hindrance in the normal working of this system leads to paralysis, i.e. defect in the neurons causes the organs to stop functioning, gradually leading to spasticity. 1. Pyramidal system  arises from the neurons of theposterior portion of the frontal lobe of the brain and the anterior part of the parietal lobe, which form the corona radiata, and passes through the posterior ...

  MOVEMENT  DISORDERS AND DYSTONIA The movements of the human body are mostly voluntary and are dependent on three major groups of neurons & tracts, each of which comprises a different system. i.                 Pyramidal system. ii.                 Para pyramidal system. iii.                 Extra pyramidal system.   The first system is the most important of them all. The hindrance in the normal working of this system leads to paralysis, i.e. defect in the neurons causes the organs to stop functioning, gradually leading to spasticity. 1. Pyramidal system  arises from the neurons of theposterior portion of the frontal lobe of the brain and the anterior part of the parietal lobe, which form the corona radiata, and passes through the poste...

  Dystonia If any movement continues in the same abnormal posture for a long time then it is called dystonia. If the neck remains pulled and bent towards one side then it is known as cervical  dystonia  (Torticollis). If the eye and facial muscles are pulled towards one side again and again, it is called  hemifacial spasm . If the eyes keep closing involuntarily, especially if it becomes difficult to keep the eyes open while talking to someone, it is called  blepharospasm . If the surrounding parts of the mouth or the tongue move abnormally then it is called  facial dystonia or meige’s syndrome. Another condition known as writer’s Cramps is a well known disease. In such cases the patient suffers from writing problems. Initially there is deterioration in handwriting. The writing speed becomes less. And eventually the patient cannot even sign his name. People like clerks and teachers who have to write a lot, find it very difficult to cope in their profession ...

  Chorea : If a difficulty arises in the working of caudate nucleus situated in the basal ganglia, it causes a series of jerky, quasi-purposive movements of the limbs, neck face, etc. which often occur from one part of the body to another, again and again in the same order. 1.          Chorea that occurs due to rheumatic fever.   2.          Huntington’s chorea (hereditary).   3.          Senile chorea.   4.          Chorea that occurs in diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, rubella etc.S.   5.          Chorea due to increase in thyroid.   6.          Neuroacanthosis Chorea.     7.          Chorea due to side effects of the medicines especially drugs for mental disord...

  Tremors : Shaking of fingers of the limbs and sometimes of the neck and lips in a continuous, rhythmic manner is called tremors. This is the most common movement disorder. Y Many a times it may also occur in normal people due to tiredness, lethargy, drug side effects, intake of coffee or pregnancy. The medicines that can cause tremors as a side effect are steroids, theophylline (used for asthma); lithium, tricyclic or antipsychotic drugs (used for mental diseases) and valproate (used for seizures). Tremors may also occur due to an increase in the levels of thyroid hormone. In many cases tremor can be hereditary which is called familial essential tremor. Some people also experience tremor because of old age. Tremor is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Different medicines are used for the treatment of tremors caused by different reasons. They are beta blockers (propranolol), diazepam, clonazepam, gabapentin, primidone, etc. and dopaminergic drugs for Parkinson’s dise...