CNS Medicine for UPSC CMS: Meningitis, Epilepsy, Parkinson and Demyelinating Diseases

Epilepsy#

Generalized: Tonic-clonic, Absence (petit mal), Myoclonic, Atonic.
Focal: Simple partial, Complex partial, Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic.

Drugs: Carbamazepine/Valproate (first-line focal), Valproate (first-line generalized), Lamotrigine (women of childbearing age), Levetiracetam.

Parkinson Disease#

Triad: Tremor (resting), Rigidity (lead-pipe/cogwheel), Bradykinesia. Treatment: Levodopa + Carbidopa (gold standard).

Multiple Sclerosis#

Autoimmune demyelination. Dissemination in space + time. Oligoclonal bands in CSF. MRI: Dawson fingers. Relapses treated with steroids.

Myasthenia Gravis#

Anti-AChR antibodies. Fluctuating muscle weakness. Ptosis, diplopia. Edrophonium test. Treatment: Pyridostigmine, Steroids, Thymectomy.