308 - Central Nervous System and Anaesthesia Flashcards
At what age might people start showing symptoms of Parkinson’s?
Symptoms usually appear in people over 50.
What does Parkinson’s affect?
Parkinson’s disease affects the way the brain coordinates body movements, including:
- walking
- talking
- writing
If Parkinson’s disease occurs between the ages of 21 & 40 what is it called?
Parkinson’s disease, if it occurs between the ages of 21 & 40 is known as ‘young-onset’ Parkinson’s disease.
Define Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia is slowness of movement, movements can become difficult to initiate, take longer to perform and lack co-ordination.
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
- bradykinesia
- tremor (shaking)
- muscular rigidity or stiffness
- tiredness
- constipation
- bladder weakness
- depression
- problems associated with handwriting, speech & balance
- difficulty swallowing
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in which part of the brain?
Parkinson’s disease results from the loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra.
What are the nerve cells in the substantia nigra responsible for producing?
The nerve cells in the substantia nigra are responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine.
What is the role of dopamine?
Dopamine transmits messages from your brain that control and coordinate the body’s movements.
What percentage of nerve cells in the substantia nigra are lost before Parkinson’s symptoms appear?
When 80% of the nerve cells in the substantia nigra become damaged or die, that’s when symptoms appear.
What type of treatments/management are available for Parkinson’s disease?
- physiotherapy
- speech and language therapy
- drug treatments
What are the common drug treatments for Parkinson’s?
Co-beneldopa + co-careldopa
What is the mode of action of co-beneldopa?
Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain and replaces the lost dopamine.
Improves nerve messages sent, reduces symptoms.
Benserazide stops levodopa being converted into dopamine in the rest of the body.
Benserazide doesn’t pass into the brain.
What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a long term brain disorder that causes a person to fall asleep at inappropriate times.
What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- sleep attacks
- cataplexy (loss of muscle control)
- sleep paralysis
- excessive dreaming and waking in the night
Are more men or women diagnosed with narcolepsy in the UK?
Narcolepsy affects men and women equally.
At what age do symptoms of narcolepsy usually appear?
Symptoms of narcolepsy usually begin during adolescence, and people are usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 & 40.
What is cataplexy?
Cataplexy is a temporary loss of muscle control resulting in weakness & possible collapse - often in response to emotion.
A lack of what causes narcolepsy?
Many cases are caused by a lack of hypocretin (orexin) which regulates wakefulness and arousal.
This is thought to occur because the immune system attacks cells that produce it. Also suggested: hormonal changes (puberty, menopause), psychological stress, swine flu.
How is narcolepsy diagnosed?
- discuss sleeping habits
- carry out tests to rule out sleep apnoea, restless legs, underactive thyroid gland
- perform sleep study
What are the treatments of narcolepsy?
- no current cure
- make changes to improve sleeping habits
- taking medication
- take frequent brief naps - even spaced out
Which drugs are used to treat narcolepsy?
modafinil (Provigil) and methylphenidate
What is the mode of action of modafinil?
Modafinil works by stimulating the central nervous system to increase your alertness and reduce excessive sleepiness.
What is the mode of action of co-careldopa?
Levodopa is converted to dopamine.
Carbidopa stops levodopa being converted into dopamine in the rest of the body as this can cause unwanted side effects.
What is obesity?
Obesity is excessive body fat for a given height and weight. When more calories are consumed than are actually used by the body.
What are the symptoms of obesity?
- inability to sustain sudden exercise
- shortness of breath
- excessive tiredness
- leg, joint and back pain
What are the long term health risks associated with being obese?
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- breast cancer
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- arthritis
What causes obesity?
Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than they actually need. It is likely that family habits of eating and exercise are key factors in obesity.
What tool is used to diagnose obesity?
Body mass index is the most convenient tool to diagnose obesity.
What is an ideal BMI in the range of?
An ideal BMI is between 20 -25.
How is obesity treated?
- calorie controlled diet
- increased aerobic exercise
- drug treatments
What is the drug treatment for obesity?
Orlistat is the drug treatment for obesity.
What is the mode of action of Orlistat?
Orlistat is not absorbed into the bloodstream and works locally on the gut & the small intestine.
It prevents the action of:
- gastric lipase
- pancreatic lipase
as these are enzymes that break down fat from the food we eat. Fat is immediately excreted in the faecal matter.
Prescribed for those with a BMI of 30 (or 28 if diabetic).
What are the counseling points for Orlistat?
- avoid consuming fat - urgency of getting to the loo
- not for people under 18
- avoid in caution when pregnant
- avoid if breast feeding
- contraception
- diarrhoea
What is dementia?
Dementia is a term given to a group of symptoms, which include:
- confusion
- memory loss
- poor concentration
What is dementia in those under the age of 65 known as?
Dementia that occurs before the age of 65 is known as ‘early-onset dementia’.
What percentage of dementia cases are due to Alzheimer’s disease?
60% of cases of dementia are due to the brain shrinking disorder Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
- confusion
- a significant reduction in memory
- problems with speech and language
- loss of interest in the outside world
- hallucinations
- changes in personality
- impaired judgement
- obsessive repetitive behaviour
- sudden anger, aggression or tearfulness
- standards of personal care and hygiene may decline
What drug treatments are used for dementia?
donepezil & rivastigimine
What is the mode of action of donepezil?
Donepezil is a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The drug works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine within the brain.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal response to stress or danger. Anxiety is a problem when it is experienced intensely and it persistently interferes with a person’s daily life.
What is generalised anxiety disorder?
Generalised anxiety disorder is anxiety symptoms that are present for much of the time and are not restricted to specific situations.
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder is repeated panic attacks that occur unpredictably and without obvious causes.
What are phobia disorders?
Phobia disorders is a phobia which is a fear that is out of proportion to the situation that causes it and cannot be explained why.
What is stress related disorder?
Stressful events can lead to symptoms of anxiety.
What are the psychological symptoms of anxiety?
- inner tension
- agitation
- fear of losing control
- feelings of detachment
What are the physical symptoms of anxiety?
- racing heart beat
- finding it difficult to breathe
- tremor
- sweating
- hyperventilating
What are the non-drug treatments of anxiety?
- counselling
- relaxation techniques
- self help groups
How many people are affected by anxiety?
1 in 20 people at any one time are affected by anxiety.
What are the common drug treatments for anxiety?
Citalopram & escitalopram
What is the mode of action of citalopram?
Citalopram selectively inhibits the re-uptake of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in presynaptic cells in the CNS, it therefore increases levels of 5-HT within the synaptic cleft enhancing the actions of serotonin (uplifting feeling of wellbeing).
What is insomnia?
Insomnia refers to an inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep for an adequate length of time.