15 - Movement Disorders in Older Ps Flashcards
Can children get Parkinsons?
Yes
Although highest instance is in those aged 80-84
What is the role of the basal ganglia?
Involved in control of movement and motor learning
What does the basal ganglia comprise of?
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Substantia nigra
Subthalamic nucleus
What causes Parkinson’s disease?
Loss of dopamine containing neurons in the substantial nigra
Get Lewy bodies in the surviving neurons (clumping of α-synuclein)
Reduction of dopamine leads to movement disorders.
What is it called if you develop dementia at least a year after the onset of Parkinsons?
Parkinons disease with dementia
What would it be if you developed dementia WITHIN 1 year of onset of Parkinsonian symptoms?
Dementia with Lewy bodies
What are the Sx of Lewy body Dementia?
Cognitive impairment
Extrapyramidal Sx
Visual hallucinations
Myoclonus
Anti-Parkinson Rx makes hallucinations and Confusion worse
What is the gold-standard Rx for Parkinsons?
How should this Rx be started?
Levodopa (L-dopa)
Start at a low dose and increase slowly.
What is dopamine dysregulation syndrome?
Impulse control disorder linked to taking dopamine agonists (e.g. Ropinirole).
Can cause things like compulsive gambling, spending, hypersexuality
What Monoamine Oxidase B inhibitor can be given for Parkinsons?
Why is this given?
Rasagiline
Can prolong effectiveness of L-Dopa by decreasing its metabolism
What Rx can be given for complex or late stage PD?
Deep brain stimulation
What is a sudden, stereotyped movement or sound that occurs at an irregular interval?
Tic
What types of tics can you get with Tourette’s?
Motor and vocal tics
What disease presents with chorea + behavioural disorders + dementia?
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s is a AD condition. Which chromosome is affected in this condition?
Chromosome 4 - CAG gene
What is a fixed abnormal twisting posture called that may be associated with a jerky tremor?
Dystonia
What can cause dystonia?
Stroke
Brain injury
Encephalitis
PD
HD
Antipsychotics
What is the cause of a benign essential tremor?
GABA dysfunction in the cerebellum
Which drugs are dopamine receptor blocking agents?
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Risperidone
What are the Sx of PD?
Bradykinesa is the single most important identifying factor
However non-motor impairments are of equal importance - e.g. cognitive impairment, sleeping disorders, mood disturbances
Can also get finger taps, microgrphia, intention tremor,
What are the 4 most common motor features of PD?
Fatiguable bradykinesia
Tremor
Rigidity (cogwheel rigidity - a catch when you move their limbs)
Postural Instability (stooped posture with arms held slightly away from the body)
What happens to gait in a P with PD?
Can get shuffling gait - due to shortened stride, loss of heel strike and leaning posture. Can be difficult to cross thresholds.
Do all Ps with PD have a tremor?
Not all - 2/3rds will, 1/3rd won’t. Is usually a resting tremor but some Ps can have atypical tremor.
How can PD affect function?
Can cause loss of manual function - difficulty with handwriting (micrographia), find motor control tasks are difficulty.
Can also cause quiet speech, loss of facial expression and loss of animation.
What scan is used to detect PD?
DAT Scan (Dopamine Transporter Scan)
What are the two clinical motor types of PD?
Tremor predominant
Postural instability and gait disturbance