Week3 Discussion

Response 1

Hydrocephalus

I actually was diagnosed with this disorder when I was very young, and I have had two shunts placed in my brain to control the overflow of cerebrospinal fluid from damaging my brain. This disorder is very scary and can be life-threatening if appropriate and timely precautions are not taken, such as a shunt. Hydrocephalus is described as, '"obstruction in the normal flow of the CSF, or to problems with absorption into the venous system" (2021).  When Hydrocephalus is discovered, doctors must act quickly to preserve the quality of life and prevent damage to the brain from the pressure on the optic nerve. The ventricles will decompress and could cause some fatal consequences without medical attention. Blindness, ocular nerve damage, headaches, nausea, and lethargic behavior are all symptoms of having HydroCephalus. Medical professionals can define hydrocephalus by a CT, eye sonogram, and an MRI, as well as a lumbar puncture, to take a culture of the CSF and detect infection, extra and unnecessary fluid. The spinal tap test involves removal of 30–50 mL of CSF, and assessment of the patient’s gait before and after the test. Improvement in gait confirms the diagnosis of NPH. (2014). Fatigue, weakness, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, among other side effects, can cause someone with hydrocephalus to struggle with holding a full-time job, being able to stay on their feet for long periods of time or distances, and can be a problem with many normal functions throughout the day like driving, vacuuming, sweeping, bathing, etc. Medications like Diamox may be beneficial in mild cases, however, the shunt or stent is necessary for the treatment of long-term and serious cases of this disorder. Overall, Hydrocephalus can be manageable with a good neurosurgeon and careful following of safety instructions, such as not hitting your head and seeing the doctor for regular annual checkups.

References

  Koleva, M., & De Jesus, O. (2021). Hydrocephalus. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Schwamb, Richard & Dalpiaz, Amanda & Yimei, Miao & Gonka, Jacquelyn & Khan, Sardar. (2014). Clinical Manifestations of Hydrocephalus: A Review. Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience. 2. 10.1111/ncn3.117.

Response 2

Tourette Syndrome is a syndrome that primarily consists of oncoming and the display of tics. This type of disorder is shown mainly in childhood with symptoms such as sudden and rapid motor movements or vocalizations (Hallett, 2015). According to DSM-5, in order to be diagnosed for Tourette syndrome, one must display motor or vocal tics prior to the age of 18 and tics that last for longer than a year (Hallett, 2015). Tics are and could be pronounced anywhere on the body, though it is seen that tics are very prominent on the face specifically the eyes. 

To fully understand where the brain abnormalities are in the brain, studies have shown that patients with Tourette syndrome show neuroimaging scans to examine the structure in the brain (Hallett, 2015). Another study shows the caudate volume in the brain of Tourette syndrome. Caudate is a part of the corpus stratum which is a primary component of the basal ganglia. The basil ganglia is primarily important for major motor controls. The study shows that the caudate volume correlates inversely with the severity of tics (Hallett, 2015). 

The basal ganglia be provided with a constant flow of dopamine in order to function properly. In a brain that has a presence of Tourette syndrome, there shows to have an a decreased number of neurons resulting in an increase of behaviors with the presence of tics (Albin, 2018, p. 334). The basal ganglia also would affect the limbic circuits which would, in turn, commonly be associated with OCD, and there would also be a reduced volume in the globes pallidus, which would result in an association with ADHD (Hallett, 2015). 

Tourette syndrome is said to socially and mentally impact an individual's life. This syndrome is said to induce tics based on sounds and noises. This, in turn, makes it harder for an individual to live life without the constant glares and states from other people which could result in bullying (Müller, 2021, p. 1). Impression goes a long way and with the involuntary motor movements or vocal tics, many individuals worry about how others might perceive them especially when these individuals have witnessed a tic (Müller, 2021, p. 1). 

 

 References

Albin, R. L. (2018). Tourette syndrome: a disorder of the social decision-making network. Brain, 141(2), 332-347.

Hallett, M. (2015). Tourette syndrome: update. Brain and Development, 37(7), 651-655.

Müller-Vahl, K. (2021). Case in context: Tourette syndrome. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(2), 88-91.