What is a common symptom of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord due to Vitamin B12 deficiency?

What is a common symptom of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord due to Vitamin B12 deficiency?

• A. Abdominal pain
• B. Loss of joint position and vibration sense
• C. Severe headaches
• D. Memory loss

Answer: (B)

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is primarily associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency and involves damage to the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord. A hallmark symptom of this condition is the loss of joint position sense and vibration sense, due to the impairment of the pathways that transmit these modalities. The dorsal columns, responsible for proprioception (awareness of body position) and vibration sense, are particularly affected. When these pathways are damaged, individuals may experience ataxia, difficulties with balance, and loss of coordination, as they can no longer accurately perceive the position of their limbs in space or detect vibrations. This neurological aspect is essential, as it distinctly characterizes the sensory deficits seen in patients with this condition. While abdominal pain, severe headaches, and memory loss might present in various medical contexts, they are not primary symptoms associated with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord linked to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus, the identification of loss of joint position and vibration sense as a symptom is crucial for diagnosing and understanding this specific neurological impairment.

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is primarily associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency and involves damage to the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord. A hallmark symptom of this condition is the loss of joint position sense and vibration sense, due to the impairment of the pathways that transmit these modalities.

The dorsal columns, responsible for proprioception (awareness of body position) and vibration sense, are particularly affected. When these pathways are damaged, individuals may experience ataxia, difficulties with balance, and loss of coordination, as they can no longer accurately perceive the position of their limbs in space or detect vibrations. This neurological aspect is essential, as it distinctly characterizes the sensory deficits seen in patients with this condition.

While abdominal pain, severe headaches, and memory loss might present in various medical contexts, they are not primary symptoms associated with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord linked to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus, the identification of loss of joint position and vibration sense as a symptom is crucial for diagnosing and understanding this specific neurological impairment.