8.3 Disorders of Movement

Question 1

Cause of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 1

Gradual progress of death of dopamine-releasing neurons, especially in the substantia nigra and amygdala

Question 2

MPTP

Answer 2

A chemical that the body converts to MPP+, which accumulates in, and then destroys, neurons that release dopamine; Can cause Parkinson’s disease

Question 3

L-dopa

Answer 3

A precursor to dopamine; is able to cross the blood-brain barrier; a treatment for Parkinson’s disease

Question 4

Physical symptoms of Huntington’s disease

Answer 4

Usually begins with jerky arm movements and then a facial twitch; later, tremors spread to other parts of the body and development purposeless writhing movements

Question 5

Brain regions involved in Huntington’s disease

Answer 5

Caudate nucleus, putamen, Globus pallidus, and the cerebral cortex

Question 6

Psychological symptoms of Huntington’s disease

Answer 6

Depression, memory impairment, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, poor judgment, alcoholism, drug abuse, and sexual disorders

Question 7

Presymptomatic test

Answer 7

A way to identify which young people are likely to develop the disease later

Question 8

Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Answer 8

rigidity, muscle tremors, slow movements, and difficulty initiating physical and mental activity; Most patients also become depressed in many show cognitive deficits