AD PD & Stem Cell Therapy Flashcards
What is gene therapy?
When faulty genes are replaced by new genes
What is the Human Genome Project?
Scientific endeavour in which all genes in the human body were sequenced/discovered.
What are the subdivisions of gene therapy?
Germ-line and somatic
What are stem cells?
An undifferentiated cell with the ability to differentiate into a large variety of specialised tissues.
What is differentiation?
The conversion of cells with a general structure/function into cells with a specific structure/function
What is proliferation?
Rapid increase in cell number
What are the three different types of stem cells? Include examples
Totipotent (tot = total)
Cells with the ability to differentiate into a new individual
Early embryo cells
Pluripotent
Cells with the ability to differentiate into over 200 cell types
Some blastocyst cells
Multipotent
Differentiated cells with the ability to form a number of other tissues
Adult stem cells, foetal tissue
Explain stem cell differentiation (what becomes what)
Totipotent stem cells become pluripotent stem cells which become multipotent stem cells
Where are stem cells harvested from?
Embryos in the earliest stages of development
Explain the process of cell replacement therapy.
1) Multi/pluripotent cells are harvested
2) Differentiated into useful cells
3) Introduced into target area in patient to replace damaged cells
What are potential challenges with cell replacement therapy?
1) Cells must be differentiated before clinical use
2) Proliferation of new cells in patient must be controlled
3) Rejection of the new cells is possible
4) Contamination of the stem cells is possible
What causes Alzheimer’s disease
Buildup of proteins causing neurotoxicity
2 main proteins:
1) Tau proteins
- intracellular
- hyperphosphorylate into neurofibrillary tangles (neurotoxic)
2) Beta-Amyloid proteins
- extracellular
- neurotoxic
Which parts of the brain are most affected by Alzheimer’s disease?
1) Frontal lobe
- cognitive function
- decision-making
2) Hippocampus
- centre for memory
What are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease?
Age
Family history
Down syndrome
Educational attainment
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in early, middle, late and end stages.
Early
- memory loss
- confusion
- some difficulty performing daily tasks
Middle
- Difficulty speaking
- Unable to work
- Easily lost/confused
Late
- Delusions
- Loss of inhibitions
End
- Bedridden (cannot move or speak)
- Assistance required for simple tasks (dressing, eating)
- Usually die from infection
What are the long-term effects of Alzheimer’s disease?
Immune system is compromised to the point where patients can die from diseases/infections that would not otherwise be fatal.
People may live between 3-20 years with Alzheimer’s. Average is 7-10 years.
What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease?
Accumulation of Lewy bodies (abnormal collections of proteins) in the basal ganglia of the brain.
Leads to deficiency of dopamine.
- motor movements cannot be coordinated
What part of the brain is primarily affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Mid-brain
What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Muscle rigidity
Slowness of voluntary movement
Resting tremors in hands
“Pill rolling”
Depression
Difficulty communicating/expressionless face
What are long term effects of Parkinson’s disease?
Symptoms worsen over time.
Patients will have difficulty communicating - has impact on family
Leads to dementia
What is the neurotransmitter associated with Parkinson’s disease?
Dopamine
What is the neurotransmitter associated with Alzheimer’s disease?
Acetylcholine
What neurotransmitter is associated with Schizophrenia?
Serotonin
