NeuroPsych Final Review

What is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a [blank_start]learning disorder[blank_end] in which an individual who [blank_start]has normal general intelligence[blank_end] and they have [blank_start]the intelligence to read[blank_end] but they are [blank_start]scoring well below their age level[blank_end]. They have issues with [blank_start]word retrieval[blank_end] and [blank_start]the identification of words[blank_end]. [blank_start]Reading is slow[blank_end] in these individuals and it affects both [blank_start]spoken and written language[blank_end]

What is Surface dyslexia? Surface dyslexia is where you have [blank_start]difficulty with whole word reading[blank_end], but you're able to [blank_start]sound out your words if you don't know[blank_end] it

What is Deep Dyslexia? Deep dyslexia is when you have [blank_start]intact whole word reading[blank_end]. So when you [blank_start]recognize the word[blank_end], you're able to [blank_start]identify it[blank_end] but you are [blank_start]not able to sound out the word[blank_end]

Describe the neuropsychological pathogenesis of Dyslexia. The best [blank_start]hypothesis[blank_end] in regards to what dyslexia regards to is the [blank_start]focus of the left hemisphere[blank_end] and that the [blank_start]plenum temporal has been implicated[blank_end]. It is [blank_start]more disorganized[blank_end] and it [blank_start]seems to be smaller[blank_end]. So, for whatever reason [blank_start]portions of the left hemisphere[blank_end] in dyslexic individuals [blank_start]tend to be underdeveloped[blank_end]

What are the characteristics of a nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD)? In NVLD these kids have [blank_start]poor skills in visual perception[blank_end], [blank_start]tactile perceptual[blank_end], [blank_start]psychomotor[blank_end], [blank_start]nonverbal[blank_end] and [blank_start]novel problem-solving skills[blank_end]. So, these children's show [blank_start]deficits in spatial organization[blank_end], they might [blank_start]miss read or omit mathematics symbols[blank_end]. They might and have [blank_start]poorly formed or space numbers[blank_end] and often they [blank_start]don't remember number facts[blank_end]. They might also have [blank_start]deficits in arithmetic’s[blank_end], and [blank_start]difficulties in arithmetic judgment[blank_end] and [blank_start]reasoning[blank_end].

Describe the neuropsychological pathogenesis of NVLD. This disorder [blank_start]affects the right hemisphere[blank_end] which [blank_start]has damage or dysfunction[blank_end]. One of the [blank_start]hypothesis[blank_end] is that it [blank_start]can be caused by damage[blank_end] to [blank_start]the white fibers[blank_end] that [blank_start]access the right hemisphere[blank_end].

What is the developmental course of a child with NVLD? As an [blank_start]infant a child[blank_end] with an NVLD has [blank_start]issues with exploratory behavior[blank_end] and their [blank_start]motor skills lag behind[blank_end] their [blank_start]language development[blank_end]. In [blank_start]elementary years’ children[blank_end] are [blank_start]prone to act out[blank_end] and they [blank_start]tend to be impulsive[blank_end]. They [blank_start]tend to exhibit hyperactivity[blank_end] and they [blank_start]have behavioral problems[blank_end]. In [blank_start]adolescence, their peers tend to avoid[blank_end] them and they also [blank_start]tend to become socially withdrawn[blank_end] and [blank_start]isolated[blank_end]. So you have to watch out for things like [blank_start]depression and anxiety[blank_end] in them.

What are interventions that can help a child with an NVLD? You want to have [blank_start]interventions that can help[blank_end] the child [blank_start]essentially understand[blank_end] and [blank_start]learn generalized cognitive[blank_end] and [blank_start]social problem-solving strategies[blank_end]. You want them to [blank_start]develop appropriate communication skills[blank_end] and [blank_start]engage and interact[blank_end] [blank_start]appropriately with others[blank_end]. Also, you want them to [blank_start]explore and interact[blank_end] with [blank_start]their environment[blank_end]. You want them to [blank_start]gain a realistic view[blank_end] of their [blank_start]strengths and their weaknesses.[blank_end] Some interventions might be things like [blank_start]putting them in social skills groups[blank_end], [blank_start]providing interventions[blank_end], [blank_start]helping them with problem-solving skills[blank_end], and [blank_start]in some cases cognitive therapy[blank_end].

What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia? Positive symptoms include; [blank_start]hallucinations and delusions[blank_end]. These are symptoms [blank_start]that normal individuals do not have[blank_end].

What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia? Negative symptoms include; [blank_start]blunted affect[blank_end], they [blank_start]feel emotions but[blank_end] they [blank_start]cannot show emotions[blank_end] or [blank_start]they may not talk at all[blank_end]. These are [blank_start]symptoms that normal individuals do show[blank_end].

Does schizophrenia have a genetic component? [blank_start]yes, several genes[blank_end] are [blank_start]thought to be involved[blank_end]. In schizophrenia, the [blank_start]disc1 Gene has been of interest[blank_end] for schizophrenia patients. Also if you have [blank_start]an identical twin with the disorder[blank_end] [blank_start]you have a 50% chance[blank_end] [blank_start]of also having the disorder[blank_end]. Recent [blank_start]studies suggest findings[blank_end] that [blank_start]there might be 8 distinct gene[blank_end] [blank_start]components for this disorder[blank_end].

What is the pharmacology of schizophrenia? [blank_start]Recent drugs have been found to impact[blank_end] and [blank_start]treat the positive symptoms[blank_end] and it has been found [blank_start]that they blocked[blank_end] [blank_start]the dopamine 2 and 3 receptors[blank_end]. There are [blank_start]studies showing that glutamate[blank_end] [blank_start]might be involved[blank_end]. [blank_start]Amphetamine[blank_end] in some cases [blank_start]cause a greater release of dopamine[blank_end] [blank_start]in some patients with schizophrenia[blank_end] verses patients without schizophrenia.

What brain abnormalities are seen in schizophrenia? [blank_start]Amphetamine causes a greater[blank_end] [blank_start]release of dopamine in some patients[blank_end] with schizophrenia verses patients without schizophrenia. There is evidence of [blank_start]abnormalities of dopamine transmissions[blank_end] in the [blank_start]prefrontal cortex[blank_end] as well [blank_start]they have larger ventricles[blank_end]. The [blank_start]anterior hippocampus is seen[blank_end] to be [blank_start]smaller in a schizophrenic twin[blank_end]. The [blank_start]total volume of the gray matter[blank_end] in [blank_start]the left temporal lobe is reduced[blank_end]. The [blank_start]brain abnormalities seem to be related[blank_end] to the [blank_start]negative symptoms[blank_end], whereas the [blank_start]dopamine abnormalities seem to be[blank_end] [blank_start]related to the positive symptoms[blank_end].

What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia? The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is [blank_start]a theory that argues[blank_end] that the [blank_start]unusual behavior[blank_end] and [blank_start]experiences associated[blank_end] [blank_start]with schizophrenia[blank_end] can be [blank_start]fully or largely explained[blank_end] due to [blank_start]changes of dopamine functions[blank_end] in the brain.

In what ways is schizophrenia a neurological disorder? There is evidence of [blank_start]abnormalities of dopamine transmissions[blank_end] in the [blank_start]prefrontal cortex[blank_end] as well as [blank_start]they have larger ventricles[blank_end]. The [blank_start]anterior hippocampus is smaller[blank_end] in a [blank_start]schizophrenic twin[blank_end]. The t[blank_start]otal volume of the gray matter[blank_end] in the [blank_start]left temporal lobe is reduced[blank_end]. There is evidence of [blank_start]deterioration that starts[blank_end] in the [blank_start]parietal lobes[blank_end] and [blank_start]then spreads to the temporal lobe[blank_end], the [blank_start]sensomatory[blank_end], the [blank_start]motor cortex[blank_end], and [blank_start]prefrontal cortex[blank_end]. The [blank_start]area of deterioration[blank_end] is [blank_start]correlated with actual symptoms[blank_end], so like when it [blank_start]gets to the temporal lobe[blank_end] they [blank_start]start having auditory hallucinations[blank_end].

What is the evidence for abnormal brain development in schizophrenia? There is [blank_start]evidence that the hippocampus normal[blank_end] [blank_start]cells are disorganized[blank_end]. The [blank_start]mom might have had a type of flu[blank_end] that [blank_start]might have interacted with[blank_end] the [blank_start]child’s brain development[blank_end]. Also, there might [blank_start]have been a birth complication[blank_end] like the [blank_start]umbilical cord being wrapped[blank_end] [blank_start]around the neck[blank_end] or [blank_start]being breached[blank_end].

Describe the neuropathology and neurochemistry of depression. It has been found [blank_start]that the frontal cortex might actually[blank_end] [blank_start]play a critical role in depression[blank_end]. There's also a lot [blank_start]of low levels of serotonin[blank_end] [blank_start]and norepinephrine[blank_end]. There is [blank_start]a decrease in activity[blank_end] to the [blank_start]brain and it is consistently seen after[blank_end] [blank_start]successful antidepressant treatments[blank_end]. There are also [blank_start]significant sleep disturbances[blank_end] in those patients with depression, so they [blank_start]don't seem to get enough of stage 3[blank_end] [blank_start]and 4 sleep[blank_end] and [blank_start]they enter REM sleep earlier[blank_end].

Describe the neuropsychology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is when [blank_start]a patient has obsessions[blank_end] [blank_start]like disgust with bodily secretions[blank_end], [blank_start]dirt or germs[blank_end]. Then they [blank_start]have compulsions on their obsessions[blank_end], like [blank_start]the might excessively count something[blank_end], [blank_start]excessively check something[blank_end], or [blank_start]excessively clean[blank_end]. OCD is [blank_start]partly caused by heredity[blank_end]. With this there [blank_start]seem to be abnormalities in the brain[blank_end], in the [blank_start]basal ganglia and prefrontal area[blank_end]. There is [blank_start]a circuit in that part of the brain[blank_end] that [blank_start]seems to be effected[blank_end]. [blank_start]SSRI's and also behavioral therapy[blank_end] might help in treating OCD.

What are the biological treatments for major affective disorders? [blank_start]SSRI’s[blank_end] [blank_start]selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors[blank_end] or [blank_start]Tricyclic antidepressants[blank_end]. In [blank_start]last resorts they might be given[blank_end] [blank_start]electric compulsive therapy[blank_end]. This is where they're [blank_start]sometimes giving a drug that paralyzes[blank_end] the [blank_start]muscles so that[blank_end] when [blank_start]you're inducing a seizure[blank_end] they're [blank_start]not going to have compulsions[blank_end]. Effects of ECT [blank_start]are quite rapid[blank_end]. Just [blank_start]a few seizure are induced[blank_end] by the ECT and [blank_start]these can snap a person[blank_end] [blank_start]out of a deep depression[blank_end] [blank_start]within a few days[blank_end]. ECT [blank_start]tends to decrease the brain activity[blank_end] but [blank_start]this raises the seizure threshold[blank_end] of the brain and [blank_start]it seems to increase the release of Gaba[blank_end]. Bipolar is treated [blank_start]by lithium[blank_end] and it might be treated by [blank_start]some anti-compulsive drugs as well[blank_end]. [blank_start]Between 70 and 80 percent[blank_end] of patients [blank_start]show a good response to Lithium[blank_end] although there's a lot of side effects. Also, [blank_start]not all patients can tolerate[blank_end] those side effects like the [blank_start]gastrointestinal issues[blank_end], [blank_start]hand tremors[blank_end], [blank_start]weight gain[blank_end], [blank_start]excessive urine production[blank_end], [blank_start]and thirst[blank_end]. [blank_start]Toxic levels of[blank_end] lithium [blank_start]give you nausea[blank_end], [blank_start]motor incoordination[blank_end], [blank_start]confusion[blank_end], and [blank_start]you can even go into a coma[blank_end].

What are the different treatments for anxiety disorders? [blank_start]Benzodiazepines are often used[blank_end] for the [blank_start]emergency medical treatment[blank_end] for anxiety disorders. They do [blank_start]tend to have a rapid onset[blank_end] and [blank_start]they work rather quickly[blank_end]. They [blank_start]exert their effects by binding[blank_end] to [blank_start]the Gaba A receptor[blank_end]. Also [blank_start]even though anxiety disorders[blank_end] are [blank_start]very different than OCD[blank_end] for instance, [blank_start]SSRI’s might also be given[blank_end]. The other thing with anxiety disorders [blank_start]is that behavioral treatments[blank_end] [blank_start]are really important[blank_end]. So [blank_start]cognitive behavioral therapy[blank_end] [blank_start]can be used to desensitize[blank_end] [blank_start]those patients[blank_end] to the [blank_start]objects or situations they fear[blank_end]. Like social anxiety disorder, [blank_start]you want them to be exposed to being[blank_end] [blank_start]around other people[blank_end] and to [blank_start]being able to deal with[blank_end] their [blank_start]maladaptive thoughts[blank_end]. The best type of [blank_start]exposure therapy[blank_end] is [blank_start]Systematic desensitization[blank_end]. This is where [blank_start]you're slowly exposing them[blank_end] to [blank_start]what their afraid of[blank_end] and [blank_start]replacing those feelings of anxiety[blank_end] [blank_start]with feelings of relaxation[blank_end].

What are generalized seizures? In generalized seizures, [blank_start]you have epileptic activity in both[blank_end] [blank_start]halves of your brain[blank_end]. You usually [blank_start]lose consciousness during these types[blank_end] of seizure, and [blank_start]sometimes it can be so brief[blank_end] [blank_start]that no one notices[blank_end]. The [blank_start]muscles in your body may[blank_end] [blank_start]stiffen and/or jerk[blank_end].

What are Partial seizures? Partial seizure are seizures [blank_start]which affect initially only[blank_end] [blank_start]one hemisphere of the brain[blank_end], they [blank_start]start at focus and remain localized[blank_end]. There are [blank_start]simple and complex partial seizures[blank_end]. In [blank_start]simple partial seizures[blank_end], you [blank_start]often change your state[blank_end] [blank_start]of consciousness but do not[blank_end] [blank_start]lose consciousness[blank_end]. In [blank_start]complex partial seizures[blank_end], it is [blank_start]so severe you often[blank_end] [blank_start]lose consciousness[blank_end].

What is Aura? Aura is [blank_start]a sensation that precedes a seizure[blank_end] [blank_start]depending on the location[blank_end] of the [blank_start]seizures focus[blank_end]. If the [blank_start]seizure is in like the sensory area[blank_end], you [blank_start]might have feelings of things[blank_end] [blank_start]like fear or dread[blank_end]. This [blank_start]activity can be the sign[blank_end] that a [blank_start]seizure is about to start[blank_end].

What is Status Epilepticus? Status Epilepticus is [blank_start]a condition in which a patient[blank_end] [blank_start]undergoes a series of seizures[blank_end] and [blank_start]does not regain[blank_end] [blank_start]consciousness between them[blank_end]. This [blank_start]can cause damage[blank_end] to the [blank_start]hippocampus due to[blank_end] a [blank_start]release of glutamate[blank_end].

What was Bob suffering from? [blank_start]Schizophrinia[blank_end]