Patient A: Anna has been told she is at a high risk for suffering a stroke. We k
ID: 98520 • Letter: P
Question
Patient A:
Anna has been told she is at a high risk for suffering a stroke. We know that the location and arrangement of the arteries supplying the hippocampus make it vulnerable to injury.
Part 1: What process(es) would most likely be affected if the hippocampus suffered deterioration? (2pts)
Anna has also been diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs Disease, also known as Amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare neuromuscular disease. Death from this disease can be caused by respiratory infection secondary to compromised respiratory function.
Part 2: Explain why respiratory infection and compromised respiratory function occur. Be sure to note any brain or spinal cord structures that may be involved. (2 pts)
Part 3: Will Anna recover from Lou Gehrig's disease? Why or why not? (1pt)
Explanation / Answer
Part A
Part 1:
The structure which lies on either side of the brain under the medial temporal lobe is known as hippocampus. It is responsible for the memory. Disease or abnormality in the hippocampus causes destruction in neurons and causes defects in the recent memory. If hippocampus suffers damage, then short term memory loss and disorientation is seen. People who consume alcohol generally forget the recent memory.
Part 2:
An infection caused in the respiratory tract is known as respiratory infection. It can be of upper respiratory infection or lower respiratory infection. Respiratory arrest may effect the brain. Respiratory compromise is due to several causes. Some pathways that leads to respiratory compromise include decrease in the oxygen availability to oxygenate the blood, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, etc.
Part 3:
No, Anna cannot recover from Lou Gehrig's disease. Lou Gehrig's disease is a motor neuron disease with an autoimmune component. In this the immune system gets hyperactive and attacks the organs of the body which are susceptible. This disease is difficult to diagnose. Immune activity can damage the brain after injury which contributes to either recovery or damage. If there is arecovery, it would be extremely slow process to recover.