Motor Neuron Model

Words: 674
Pages: 3
Open Document
Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the anterior horn cells (lower motor neurons) and upper motor neurons of the cerebral cortex (Reeves & Swenson 2008). This gradually affects muscle strength, tone and muscle mass (Huether & McCance 2008). There are a number of different forms of the disease, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Progressive Muscular Atrophy and Progressive Bulbar Palsy (Bromberg 2015). These conditions have characteristics of overall muscle weakness with either lower motor signs such as, decreased reflexes and atrophy or upper motor neuron signs including, increased reflexes and spasticity (Reeves and Swenson, 2008). Yet, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the only …show more content…
Thus, the trajectory model was created, as this nursing model refers to, “The course of a chronical disease in its different stages and phases”. Three illness trajectories are known to the health care system, particularly palliative care regarding progressive chronic illnesses. These consist of, short period of evident decline, long term limitations with intermittent serious episodes and prolonged dwindling (Murray et al., 2005). Motor neurone disease is a progressive disease, thus prolonged dwindling is the suitable model for this illness. According to the Palliative Medicine text book prolonged dwindling consists of, “progressive disability from an already low baseline to cognitive and/or physical functioning” (Walsh et al., 2009). Due to this disease patients will gradually lose functional ability, resulting in declining social and physical events. The illness trajectory for motor neurone disease may be long and involve prolonged periods of support due to the decrease of function, lack of activity and involvement (Ferrell & Coyle 2006). Although, this trajectory may not prolong as a result of death from an acute event such as respiratory failure or chocking as dysphagia is common (Mandal …show more content…
Sharon had noticed a couple years ago, trouble gripping doors handles, difficulties opening bottles and had several tripping accidents displaying both upper and lower limb weakness. She was admitted to the medical ward following, increasing falls at home, speech distortion, swallowing difficulties and shortness of breath. In regards to her current symptoms, it is evident her ALS has progressed and is becoming a lot more difficult to manage. Sharon’s occupation as a teacher requires effective communication and physical health, thus becomes extremely difficult with altered speech and muscle weakness. Therefore, due to the disease progressing, Sharon will be unable to attend work as her physical and emotional ability has declined. In addition, will not be able to attend to George, her children Tom and Sophie or personal needs independently. Therefore, her career, financial income, family life and normal routine will be altered enormously. Experiencing these losses may be overwhelming, confusing or mentally too much, leading to an alteration of Sharon’s mental state. Which could result in disengagement in activities and family interactions, as well as isolation (Pagnini & Castelnuonvo 2016). A number of studies has found depression to be correlated to suffering, hopelessness, accelerated death and social
Show More

Related Documents: Motor Neuron Model

Huntington Disease Research Paper

Scheme showing the main pathways of the BG associated with motor impairment in HD SYMPTOMS & PROGNOSIS The symptoms of HD includes progressive chorea (uncontrolled movements), unsteady gait, slurred speech, and difficulties in eating and. People with HD also experience personality changes and mood swing and depression…

Words 2299 - Pages 10

Concept Of Mirror Neurons

theory in the form of mirror neurons would surely be scrutinized more than most, as the potential of such a theory has implications across many a field in psychology. However the concept of mirror neurons may have the potential to increase any understanding of how human and animal brains may function. Furthermore, in order to discuss possible implications of mirror neurons this essay has firstly presented a detailed description for the concept of mirror neurons, supporting any explanation with…

Words 2021 - Pages 9

Small Molecule Tracking Agent For Glua2 Unedited Receptors In ALS

ALS causes excitotoxic cell death in motor neurons, leading to difficulty moving, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Patients typically live just 3-5 years after the initial presentation of symptoms, with little recourse.1 The only available medication, Riluzole, affords only a fraction of the patients three additional months of life. Research into the mechanisms of ALS have revealed calcium mediated excitotoxic cell death as the primary culprit of motor neuron loss. Excitotoxicity is thought to…

Words 953 - Pages 4

Some Year 11 Vce Psych Notes Essay

Psychology Unit 3 Normal waking consciousness- the state of consciousness you experience when you are awake and aware of your thoughts, feelings and perceptions from internal events and the surrounding environment Characteristics of nwc- • Level of awareness • Content limitations • Attention • Controlled and automatic processes • Perceptual and cognitive distortion s • Emotional awareness • Self-control • Time orientation Altered state of consciousness Deviates from…

Words 1757 - Pages 8

Neural processes and saccadic control Essay

magnification of the fovea can open up the whole visual field for monitoring (Anstis (1974) & Bouma (1970)). Saccades are a visually controlled motor response of the eye (Findlay & Gilchrist 2003). The eye movement control system enables us to fixate and hold our gaze through moving our eyes 3-4 times a second. The eye muscles themselves are regulated by motor neurons, however both subcortical and cortical brain areas play critical roles in the production and control of saccades. Schiller (1998) proposed…

Words 4654 - Pages 19

Cell Neurophsiology Notes Essay

holds the hydrophobic tails together) and hydrogen bonding (which binds the hydrophilic heads with water), which help to stabilize the lipid bilayer structure. 3.In what ways do membrane proteins associate with the lipid bilayer in the fluid mosaic model? There are two types of proteins: integral membrane proteins and peripheral proteins Cell membranes consist of a phospholipid bilayer and various integral proteins. The proteins act as carriers that move needed molecules across the membrane…

Words 2395 - Pages 10

Neurodevelopment Essay

development of the nervous system and can alter behaviour and cognition in later life. These developmental abnormalities are commonly referred to as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). A wealth of evidence from human clinical studies and animal models have identified some important molecular pathways, physiological processes and brain regions that may be disrupted by prenatal exposure to alcohol. In this essay discuss the symptoms of FASD and the physiological processes and brain structures that…

Words 1294 - Pages 6

Biology Study Essay

Cellular Respiration how humans derive energy from food ATP is the energy currency C.R. converts glucose  energy Can be anaerobic (no O2) or aerobic (O2) C6H1206 +602 6C02+6H20+ATP Glucose + water  carbon dioxide + water + energy Homeostasis keeps the body at 37 degrees All animals use C.R. The attachment of P to ADP is controlled by enzyme Can use other things other than glucose for C.R such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, lipids. Store glucose in the liver as glycogen 1 glucose…

Words 2366 - Pages 10

Psychology: Nervous System and Cerebral Cortex Essay

AP Psychology Prologue: Psychology’s Roots: Psychology- the scientific study of behavior and mental processes-aims to describe and explain how we think, feel and act -Behavior is anything an organism does-any action we can observe and record (yelling, smiling, blinking, talking and questionnaire marking are all observable behaviors) -Mental processes are the internal, subjective experiences we infer from behavior (they include sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)…

Words 4223 - Pages 17

Huntington's Disease Case Study

The huntingtin mutation is toxic to cells, which is why the neurons, specifically neurons of the striatum, start to die. Those neurons affect motor skills and movement. That is why a huge symptom of Huntington’s disease is the lack of coordination and slower movements (Karcher, 2010). The disease also targets brain function, which dictates muscle function. Other symptoms can and will develop at later stages from the desecration of neurons. One of the main disorders is the lack of cognitive skills…

Words 1766 - Pages 8