Neuroscience Analysis of Occupational Performance (OCTH 455)
and
Neuroscience (PTRS 850)
Sensory Systems practice questions

These are practice questions for our Sensory Systems material. You should try to answer these questions fully, then explain your answer to another student. There may be a number of possible ways you may choose to answer the question. Please make an attempt to answer these problems before you peek at the answers I've supplied!

Analyze the behavioral symptoms to determine the neurological correlates of these individual's complaints. Identify the site of each lesion - be as specific as possible. What clinical tests or observations would be appropriate? If you choose to include a diagram in your answer, identify only the relevant structures (not ALL the structures). Provide details of how you reached each of your answers.

1. Describe a treatment technique which would facilitate firing of area 5 of the parietal lobe.

   When you think you have completed the answer, read this.

2. Give one behavioral example of how receptive fields function together.

   When you think you have completed the answer, read this.

3. From a neurological viewpoint, why would tugging on a limb having a spastic muscle by a poor therapeutic choice? What would be a better choice? Explain why, both therapeutically and neurologically, in words appropriate for use with either a 10 year old or a 67 year old client.

   When you think you have completed the answer, read this.

4. Ms. Basket is a pleasent woman who is an in-patient on the rehabilitation unit. You have been treating her for three weeks. Today, for the first time and in anticipation of her discharge, she arrives for therapy dressed in street clothes. She responds in an agitated manner when you compliment her on her appearence, and she becomes more fidgety and more distracted as the session continues. She responds negatively to all the activities you suggest, and nearly falls because she is so startled when you touch her arm from behind when trying to steady her as she moves to the mat. Analyze this situation from a sensory point of view.
   1. What is her problem likely to be? What lead you to this conclusion?
   2. What will you do in treatment today to help her with this problem? (a short-term solution)
   3. Based upon these behavioral observations, describe what the neurological correlate is likely to be. Explain your reasoning.
   4. What clinical assessments whould help to identify the neurological basis of Ms. Basket's behavior?
   5. What longer-term treatment strategies would you consider to help her with this problem? Why?
   6. What treatment strategies would be contraindicated?
   7. What suggestions or advice might you consider relaying along to Ms. Basket or to her family?

   When you think you have completed these answers, read this.

5. It's been a long, cold winter. Snow, ice, cold winds, and gray skies have you anticipating your spring break trip to the Caribbean as you walk through the parking lot to your car. Because you are daydreaming, you don't notice a large patch of ice, your foot begins to slip out from under you, and ....
   • For each story below, draw and label a diagram illustrating the pathways and structures taking part in the behavior. Include (and label) an initial sensory input, a motor response, and a second sensory input which you might use to provide feedback about your chosen motor response.
     1. .... you turn your head to look at the patch of ice as you begin to fall, keeping your eyes on that one spot as your head and body twist and turn wildly!
     2. .... you extend your arms to each side, your free leg kicks out, your back arches, and your head turns - all before you are able to plant your supporting foot firmly on the ground.
   • What neurological deficits would impair your ability to execute these behaviors? What clinical assessments would be appropriate? What other behavioral changes or problems would you be likely to experience?

   When you think you have completed these answers, read this.