Compare and contrast the etiology of myasthenia gravis versus that of multiple sclerosis. Discuss any relevant treatments.
What will be an ideal response?
Causes of myasthenia gravis include reduced numbers or sensitivity of acetylcholine receptors, up to 70% to 90% less than normal individuals. The main cause of multiple sclerosis, on the other hand, includes deterioration of myelin and neuronal loss in the central nervous system. This is believed to be caused by an immune system attack on the neurons triggered by exposure to an environmental condition such as a viral infection. Several immune system genes have already been implicated.
Effective treatments for MG include drugs that inhibit the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, giving temporary relief to patients by increasing the amount of Ach neurotransmitter involved at the neuron-muscle junction. Another effective treatment includes thymectomy, or removal of the thymus. Almost 80% of patients show complete symptom improvement after this procedure.
Effective treatments for MS include immune-suppressing drugs that slow the progression but do not repair what has already been damaged. One drug called dalfampridine works by blocking voltage-gated potassium channels. This allows demyelinated neurons to transmit signals by increasing the strength of the action potentials. Another option involves stem cells, where the immune system is wiped out via chemotherapy and stem cells are injected back into the patient.
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A behaviourist would conceptualize the prisoner's dilemma as a situation in which person A's decision to cooperate or not with person B produces:
A) maximal reinforcement only if person B fails to cooperate. B) negative reinforcement if person A cooperates and person B does not. C) reinforcement or punishment based on person B's behaviour. D) positive or negative reinforcement based on person B's behaviour.
Which statement is true?
A. People with Wernicke's look puzzled when they speak. B. People with all levels of severity of Wernicke's aphasia cannot understand what is being asked of them. C. It is hard to know whether people with Wernicke's aphasia understand what is being said, but not all are incompletely unable to comprehend language. D. Wernicke's and Broca's patients have the same level of understanding of their deficits.
What is the occurrence in adolescents where they tend not to think that death can happen to them, and, therefore, they get involved in risky behavior(s)?
a) delusions b) immaturity c) personal fable d) selective perception
Evolutionary psychology views the human mind as:
a. Infinitely malleable. b. Purely a product of culture and personal experience. c. A set of adaptive problem solving modules produced by natural selection. d. The source of all human suffering.