Full Course Description

The Brain in Detail

OUTLINE

The Brain Revealed — The structure and function of components of the mechanical, endocrine and electrical systems of the brain

Anatomy

Life of a neuron
Brain structure
Spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Aging and the Nervous System

Assessment

Cranial Nerves
Motor Function
DTRs
Levels of Consciousness
Intracranial Pressure

Diagnostic Tests

Lumbar Puncture
CAT/MRI
Angiogram
EEG

Mental, Physical, Emotional: Connections and Detachments — They work together to maintain homeostasis; but what does it look like when they go astray – and why?

Spinal Disorders

Herniated Disc
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Cord Injury
Degenerative Neuromuscular Disorders
Huntington’s Chorea
Multiple Sclerosis
Myasthenia Gravis
Amytropic Lateral Sclerosis
Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Cranial Nerve Disorders

Trigeminal Neuralgia
Bell’s Palsy
Ménière’s Disease

Common Neurological Conditions: What Happens and Why

Central Nervous System Disorders

Headaches
Cerebral Vascular Disorders: TIA and Stroke Aneurysms
Seizure Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain Tumors
Effects of Alcohol and Alcoholism on the Brain

Error Messages: What is the Brain Trying to Tell Us?

Dementias
Parkinson’s Disease
Depression

OBJECTIVES

Define the anatomy and physiology of the neurological system and how this manifests in physical symptoms.
Identify neurologic assessment modalities and the connection between how the brain works and the visual assessment.
Categorize interventions and strategies for patients with traumatic brain injury based on the pathophysiological process and the long-term effects from these injuries.
Describe how chemical imbalances and impulses create disorders such as dementias and Parkinson’s disease.
Describe the best method for patient education based upon the knowledge of the pathophysiology of the most common neurological conditions.

Program Information

Target Audience

Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Practical Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistants, Clinical Nurse Specialists

Outline

The Brain Revealed — The structure and function of components of the mechanical, endocrine and electrical systems of the brain

Anatomy

Life of a neuron
Brain structure
Spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Aging and the Nervous System

Assessment

Cranial Nerves
Motor Function
DTRs
Levels of Consciousness
Intracranial Pressure

Diagnostic Tests

Lumbar Puncture
CAT/MRI
Angiogram
EEG

Mental, Physical, Emotional: Connections and Detachments — They work together to maintain homeostasis; but what does it look like when they go astray – and why?

Spinal Disorders

Herniated Disc
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Cord Injury
Degenerative Neuromuscular Disorders
Huntington’s Chorea
Multiple Sclerosis
Myasthenia Gravis
Amytropic Lateral Sclerosis
Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Cranial Nerve Disorders

Trigeminal Neuralgia
Bell’s Palsy
Ménière’s Disease

Common Neurological Conditions: What Happens and Why

Central Nervous System Disorders

Headaches
Cerebral Vascular Disorders: TIA and Stroke Aneurysms
Seizure Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Brain Tumors
Effects of Alcohol and Alcoholism on the Brain

Error Messages: What is the Brain Trying to Tell Us?

Dementias
Parkinson’s Disease
Depression

Objectives

Define the anatomy and physiology of the neurological system and how this manifests in physical symptoms.
Identify neurologic assessment modalities and the connection between how the brain works and the visual assessment.
Categorize interventions and strategies for patients with traumatic brain injury based on the pathophysiological process and the long-term effects from these injuries.
Describe how chemical imbalances and impulses create disorders such as dementias and Parkinson’s disease.
Describe the best method for patient education based upon the knowledge of the pathophysiology of the most common neurological conditions.

Copyright : 06/09/2014

Neuromuscular & Neurodegenerative Disorders

OUTLINE

Multiple Sclerosis

Four Classifications of MS
Look for the Oligoclonal Bands
ABCs of Medication Management
- Immunomodulating disease-modifying agents
- Corticosteroids
- Antispasmotic
- Anticholinergic
- Antiviral
- CNS stimulant
- Antiepileptic
- Antidepressant
- Beta blocker
- Natalizumab
Manage the Symptoms
- Optic neuritis
- Fatigue
- Ataxia

Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Staging the Disease
Disease-Specific Treatment
- Drug therapy to slow the progression
- Treatment of behavioral manifestations
Provide a Therapeutic Environment
- Participate in activities of daily living
- Monitor and protect from injury
- Community resources
- Caregiver stress

Myasthenia Gravis

Neuromuscular Junction Disorder
- Autoimmune process
- Reduced acetyl-choline receptor sites
Doing the Edrophonium Test
- Evaluate response to edrophonium (telsilon)
- Short-acting anticholinesterase inhibitor
- Increase neurotransmission
Pathways to Recovery
- Medications – anticholinesterase inhibitors, corticosteroids, immunosppressive agents
- Thymectomy
- Plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin

Parkinson’s Disease

Degeneration of Substantia Nigra
- Basal ganglia degeneration
- Deficiency of dopamine
Know the Symptoms “T-R-A-P”
- Tremors - resting
- Rigidity – cogwheel jerking
- Akinesia - bradykinesia
- Posture – stooped, shuffling gait
Treatment Options
- Medications - dopaminergics, anticholinergics, dopamine agonist, MAO-B inhibitor, COMT inhibitors, antiviral
- Neuroprotective agents
- Deep brain stimulation

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Syndrome Variants
- Ascending
- Pure-motor
- Descending
- Miller-Fisher Syndrome
Treatment Options
- Plasmapheresis
- Intravenous immunoglobulin

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Degeneration of Motor Neurons
- Excitotoxic damage
- Defect in transport proteins
Slow and Progressive Weakness
- Muscle atrophy
- Paralysis
- Respiratory failure
- Death
Symptom Management
Alternatives
- Megadose vitamin
- Pancreatic enzymes
- Wheat germ
- Snake venom
- Bee pollen