Neurophysiology Case Histories - Case 2

A 30-year-old female has had several episodes, each separated by several months, in which she experiences brief periods of physical weakness, clumsiness of the legs and hands, visual disturbances, and mood swings. Her weakness is most prominent in her lower extremities. CT scans show evidence of multiple lesions in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. During her last episode, there were increasing neurological deficits due to an increasing number of disseminated lesions. Prednisone (60 mg/day for five to seven days) was prescribed and helped her return to as normal and active a life as possible.

1. What is the demyelinating disease affecting this individual?

2. What is myelin? What is its function?

3. How does the prednisone help this individual?

4. How are nerve cells ensheathed with myelin in the CNS? In the PNS?

Please enter your e-mail address:

If you would like your answers submitted to your instructor, please provide his/her e-mail address (or you must re-enter your e-mail address here for this form to work):

Please enter your full name:

A copy of your answers will also be submitted to your e-mail address so you may print the information.

Table of Contents

feedback form | permissions | international | locate your campus rep | request a review copy

digital solutions | publish with us | customer service | mhhe home

Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of the The McGraw-Hill Companies.